Nearly a decade later, this government ban on condom advertisements remains a critical talking point in India's ongoing struggle with sexual health awareness.

The Ban On Condom Ads By I & B Ministry

With an advisory issued by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry of India, the government yet again takes the nation two steps back from where we stood on the ladder of development, instead of taking us a step ahead. The issued advisory bans all sorts of condom advertisements to be aired on TV channels from 6 AM to 10 PM. Citing the Cable Television Network Rules of 1994, the ministry said advertisements which “endanger the safety of children” or “create in them any interest in unhealthy practices” shall not be aired. This was apparently to “avoid exposure of such material to children” and “to ensure strict adherence to the provisions” and “any failure shall attract action.”

Well dear Government of India, how do you think this ban is helpful for the nation in the least? It’s not. Let me tell you why.

Firstly, not all children and teenagers in the nation are mystically dead asleep before 10 PM (well, there goes your foolproof plan). Secondly, instead of asking condom companies to modify the content of condom ads and making them child-friendly, trying to restrict them will not only add to the existing notions of sex as a taboo but also make children, young adults and parents less open to dialogue on sex education.

(Inserted this YouTube At Precisely 10.05 PM)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZHOWsM-m68

The Advertising Paradox And Misplaced ‘Healthy’ Routines

The ban has been put into effect after the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) requested the ministry earlier this month to take a call on condom ads and their telecast timings after one particular condom ad was aired. The condom ad has actress Sunny Leone allegedly exhibiting “indecent behaviour” and is deemed “unhealthy for children”.

Alright, is it really the behaviour we have a problem with here, or is it the fact that a woman is trying to take charge of her body? Or is it the portrayal of sex for pleasure and not just for reproduction that is giving the ministry a sore eye?

Or does the government want us to protect ourselves from STDs and avoid unwanted pregnancies with Indian sanskaar instead of a condom which has 99% success rate?

If to save our children from indecent behaviours and unhealthy practices is what the government wants, how about we ban all the violence aired 24/7 on TV? How about we ban all the saas bahu soap operas which promote family feuds and mental harassment? How about we ban Fairness cream ads which body shame young kids and adults for a start?

The Identity Crisis – Condom Concerns

Well, the children and teenagers in India will be much safer if they knew what sex was and what really was happening with their bodies and minds while growing up. The children will be safe if they knew how to explore their individuality and sexuality in a healthy manner (oh wait, you can identify yourself as LGBTQI, but that doesn’t save you from the unending harassment, in short, it’s not really safe to be yourself kids).

They would be much safer if they knew how to use a condom and not become parents at a young age, resulting in a serious effect on their physical and mental health. And let’s not forget about the possible exposure to AIDS and other STDs. The children would be much safer if they understood what consent is from a young age and would know how to respect one another, thus potentially reducing the shamefully growing number of rapists and abusers.

This ban not only brings to light the pitiful mindset of the people in power but also raises many a question on the lack of dialogue on sexuality, individuality and health in our country. But wait, what are we to expect next? A total ban on condoms? Or will condoms be sold only by presenting your marriage certificate to the pharmacist?