Following a Government of India order, internet services providers in the country have >blocked over 850 ‘porn websites’ in the country. The move, however, did not go down well with majority of people who took to social media to criticise it.
In an order issued late on Friday night, the government had asked all internet services provider to block access to pornography websites. While there is yet no clarity on the number of sites blocked, it is expected to be over 850. The number is likely to increase as more and more sites are blocked.
In July though, the Supreme Court had said it cannot stop an adult from exercising his fundamental right to personal liberty to watch porn within the privacy of his room.
Declining a plea to pass an interim order to block porn websites in India, Chief Justice H.L. Dattu had said, “Such interim orders cannot be passed by this court. Somebody may come to the court and say look I am above 18 and how can you stop me from watching it within the four walls of my room. It is a violation of Article 21 [right to personal liberty].” The Chief Justice was hearing a PIL petition filed by advocate Kamlesh Vashwani to block porn websites in India. Mr. Vashwani had also stated that there are 4 crore porn websites operating in the country.
