What is illegal for foreigners in Karnataka?
By Dileep Thekkethil
BENGALURU: India has recently seen some bizarre bans, which may make some people think the country has turned the clock back a century or more.
Here are some the most talked about bans that has made the world notice the country a bit more:
- The documentary titled ‘India’s Daughter’ by British film maker Leslee Udwin, which is based on the horrific gang rape and subsequent death of a 23-year-old student in Delhi, was recently banned for including anti-women statements by one of the rapists, who is awaiting death sentence. BBC had to suspend the screening of the documentary in India following the regulation from the government. But, it was telecasted in the UK and was available for a few hours on the official YouTube channel of BBC, later restricting access to YouTube users in India.
- President Pranab Mukherjee approved the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill of 1995, banning slaughter of cows, bullock and bulls in the state of Maharashtra. A small consolation for red meat lovers is the government has not banned slaughter of water buffaloes. The law is expected to take its toll on beef traders, who are mostly from the Muslim community. Anyone who violates the law can be jailed for five years and fined up to Rs. 10,000.
- Selling sex toys in India is a punishable offense under section 292 of Indian penal code; this is due to “obscene” label that is slapped on sex products by the society. In addition to sex toys, if anyone is found selling any book, pamphlet, paper, writing, drawing, painting, representation, figure or any other object, deemed obscene under section 292 he/she will have face up to two years imprisonment. Recently, a case was lodged against Snapdeal, one of India’s popular e-commerce websites, for listing sex toys in their product category.
- The government of Karnataka issued rules banning foreigners from participating in parties and social events in the state. According to the government order, party houses and event organizers will have to “obtain permission from district-level committees headed by the deputy commissioner by revealing the project cost, source of funding, names of advertisers and the event schedule”. Parties and events are also instructed to “stay in tune with Indian culture and traditions”
- Movies such as 50 Shades of Grey, Paanch, Fire, and Dirty Politics are banned in India, but interesting enough, the government has not yet banned people from watching or possessing pornographic materials though manufacturing and publication of XXX content is considered illegal.