Big Ban Theory

Amarjot Kaur

With the mention of #pornban, one is instantly reminded of the sexual revolution in the 60s and 70s, which was triggered by the conservatism of the 50s giving way to the hippie culture, free sex, rock and roll and Oh! Calcutta!, a show, consisting of sketches on sex-related topics that debuted Off-Broadway in 1969 and then in London in 1970.

Well, sex is indeed an important part of one’s individuality and Indians, being the second largest populated country, understand the relevance of openness related with sex, don’t we? Well, it’s time to applaud the culture saviour brigade for the government of India has done all that it could to restrict child porn viewing. It has restricted access to over 800 porn websites. However, most city-based youngsters feel that it won’t make any difference, for those who want to watch porn will watch it anyway! Here are some voices of the young, free and wild!

First world problem!

I think restricting any access to porn sites will offer to society more sexually frustrated peeping toms and it may also give rise to black market porn viewing sites or even CDs. There are so many issues like scams and corruption that the government must deal with before banning porn sites, which I feel is done is done to deviate people’s minds off serious issues. — Atul Bhardwaj, 27, Advocate

Beguiling the bane

I think banning porn sites is of no consequence whatsoever. India is a democratic country, so why should it control people’s personal space. If people want to watch porn, they will watch it anyway! — Akshita Kaur, 24, Client servicing executive  with an advertising firm

Makes no difference 

This makes absolutely no sense because people will get hold of porn anyway. They have banned some 800 sites, well, how will they check if someone is on incognito mode, unless they are reported by their service provider... And why would a service provider report if they are making money out it? This is preposterous!  — Rubia chauhan, 24, copy writer at an ad firm

Vent it out

I don’t think banning the porn sites will do any good to anyone because in India, where, ideally, only marriage permits ‘legal’ sex, people, especially men tend to be very sexually frustrated. So, let them watch porn. It’s an individual’s personal space and the government must respect it!  Prakash Tuli, 24, Student at BRS Dental College

It’s all showbizzzzz...!

Well, frankly most kids are imparted sex education and they learn all about sex from porn sites or erotic reads. Porn is a show business and unlike prostitution, people are not being forced into it, nor is there any child trafficking. However, I do feel that porn objectifies women as sex objects. — Kshitij Gupta, 20, Student at PTU 

Encroaching personal space 

I feel that the porn sites shouldn’t have been banned, because everyone has a right to freedom and this is an attempt at curbing one’s freedom as much as it is intruding their personal space. I feel that the government must check and monitor, but restricting access to porn sites will not make any difference at all. They must respect an individual’s personal space!  — Abhinandan, 26, Businessperson