BackOutrage in cyberspace over ban on 857 porn sites
Government biggest target of ridicule with many questioning its motive
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New Delhi: The government’s ban on 857 porn sites caused quite an uproar across the Internet on Monday, the first working day after the ban order, which was issued on Friday.
While Twitter users responded with their usual mix of outrage and humour, other sites such as Reddit had a thread for venting of frustration (mainly through memes and tongue-in-cheek criticism) as well as another for a serious discussion on the topic.
One Reddit user has even put together a petition on Change.org against the ban, as well as written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We are adults, we know what is good for us and what is bad for us. We need a government that lays roads and bridges, constructs ports, that connects millions to an electricity grid. We need a state that looks out for the welfare of its people over the welfare of the party it represents. We need a government that takes us and keeps us on a path of 8%+ growth for decades from now. We don’t need a state that imposes its own (and maybe a few cabinet ministers’) narrow and parochial view of culture upon millions."
The non-serious thread had some gems as well, with one user purportedly from the US, offering an outsourced porn model, where Indians can call and ask for descriptions, since it can’t be viewed.
The government, was obviously the biggest target for the outrage across cyberspace with many questioning the motives.
Overrated Outcast @over_rated—who has almost 30,000 followers on Twitter—started off unusually softer than he tends to usually be on such issues. “Glad to know my taxes are being used by the Indian government to employ people who spend their day searrching for MILF porn. *slow clap*," he tweeted.
This was followed by some praise for the thorough research done by the government in putting together the list. “You literally have to be obsessed with porn to come up with this list. Some of the names on the list made me want to throw up," he tweeted.
This was followed by “Now we know why this is a do-nothing government. BECAUSE THEY SPEND ALL THEIR TIME WATCHING UNETHICALLY MADE EAST EUROPEAN PORN," he tweeted.
But despite the fact that this is probably the largest number of sites banned by the government at one go, Twitter was quick to point out that a ban on porn was far from in effect.
Rohan @mojorojo of comedy quartet AIB, tweeted “Blocking 857 porn sites is like blocking six drops of rain with your hands. Still gonna flood, son."
Two years ago, AIB had released a spoof video on what would happen if India banned pornography—that many are now seeing as prophetic, given the government’s new Clean Internet mission.
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