Rajasthan HC issues notice to I&B ministry on condom ad restrictions, seeks reply

The Rajasthan high court sought replies from the ministry of information and broadcasting and ministry of medical, health and family planning the order limiting telecast of condom ads to between 10pm and 6am.

The Rajasthan high court on Wednesday issued notices to the ministry of information and broadcasting and ministry of medical, health and family planning asking why the advisory to television channels on not to broadcast condom advertisements between 6am and 10pm should not be quashed.

Last week, the government passed an order banning condom advertisements beyond the 10pm to 6am slot on television. (HT File)

The court sought replies from the two ministries in eight weeks. The court, however, did not fix the date of next hearing .

A division bench of chief justice Pradeep Nandrajog and justice DC Somani was hearing a PIL filed by Global Alliance for Human Rights, an NGO working for the welfare of people with HIV/AIDS.

Prateek Kasliwal, who appeared for the NGO, said the petition seeks to challenge the advisory issued on December 11.

The PIL said, “The Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, stipulate that ads which endangers the safety of children or creates in them any interest in unhealthy practices or shows them begging or in an undignified or indecent manner shall not be carried in the cable service. Assuming that the condom advertisements violate the rules, how do they not violate it beyond 10pm?” it added.