It looks like the Indian government is on a banning spree. After monitoring the use of swear words in films, banning beef in some states and a proposed ban on alcohol, reports have emerged that the government may have unofficially banned porn.
Although a statement is yet to be released, many internet users in India found popular porn sites inaccessible today, with a message saying the portals had been blocked by the "competent authority".
According to Scroll India, "These messages mostly appeared for subscribers to Mahanagar Telephone Limited, Bharatiya Sanchar Nigam Limited, Vodafone and ACT. However, those using Airtel, Tikona and a few other cable networks experienced no such problems."
Many drew a connection between the blocks and a recent news article in the Hindustan Times which cited a study that found more women are browsing porn compared to previous years.
Disgruntled – and amused – Indians vented on social media, condemning the blocks.
Indian film director Ram Gopal Varma poked holes in the twisted logic behind banning porn:
The government was blasted for 'nannying' its citizens:
By and large the ban has prompted many LOL moments: