"Now masturbation is banned in India...Well next could be castration."
Bollywood have spoken up against the latest controversial ban in India – online pornography.
Not only because 2015 has been a year of bans, many are increasingly alarmed by the government’s dictatorial approach.
Actress and fashionista Sonam Kapoor explicitly expresses her concern at the impact of various bans on the country.
She tweeted: “Ban idiots who think banning things is going to make a difference to Indian mentality. #sooverthisgovt #NextBanIdea #sick #ashamed.”
Film director and producer Ram Gopal Varma pens a passionate mini-essay on Twitter, slamming the government for attempting to control their daily lives.
The Sarkar (2005) director writes: “Now they have just banned porn but very soon the Government might come into the bedroom to see how couples are having sex.
“And I think the government will direct couples on their positions and instruct them on the do’s and dont’s. This for sure will b next step.”
He even draws parallels between the porn ban and terrorism: “To deprive consenting adults of the harmless fun they [are] having of watching porn is equivalent of what Taliban [and] Isis is doing to freedom.”
Actor Arshad Warsi gives a quick summary of everything that displeases the Indian government:
We can’t ban politicians with criminal records so let’s ban hmmmmmm MAGGI OR TINTED GLASSES ON YOUR CAR OR SIDECAR ON A BIKE OR BEEF OR PORN
— Arshad Warsi (@ArshadWarsi) August 4, 2015
Indian actor Prathap Pothen feels very strongly about the ban and warns it should not be taken lightly.
He writes on Facebook: “And well now masturbation is banned in India… Well next could be castration… India shining without shaking.
“Remember slowly but surely it’s the little rights that no one can complain about that are banned…till we realise we can’t do a thing.
“And we will need permission to even think…Down boy down…lets blow up kajaraho next…”
A number of notable figures in India have also voiced their opinion. Author Chetan Bhagat and music director Vishal Dadlani try to point out the bigger issue:
Porn ban is anti-freedom, impractical, not enforceable. Politically not very smart too. avoidable. Let’s not manage people’s private lives.
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) August 3, 2015
.@25rby @Vidyut Child-porn should be banned & punishable by strictest legal sentences. But blanket-bans are stupid, ignorant & dangerous! — VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) August 4, 2015
Since August 1, 2015, online users have been unable to view pornography in India, with many suspecting the government has blocked their access.
As of yet, there is no official statement from the government, though an anonymous source claimed the ban is temporary.