Latest news with #Prohibition)Act
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Let's raise a stink over manual scavenging in Karnataka
BENGALURU: The recent death of a 31-year-old labourer, Puttaswamy, who developed breathing issues while cleaning a manhole at Akshaya Nagar in RMC Yard police limits in Bengaluru, has exposed the ineffective implementation of the ban on manual scavenging in the state. While Bengalureans write codes for all the world's ills, it is a shame that we cannot fix our societal flaws. Systemic exclusion from identification of manual scavengers, lack of rehabilitation, institutional neglect, a non-functional 'statutory body' Karnataka State Safai Karmachari Commission, and lack of political will to implement the ban are some of the major reasons that experts point out for continuation of the inhuman practice. Safai Karmachari Kavalu Samithi Karnataka (SKKS) is a community-based organisation advocating the rights and dignity of sanitation workers across Karnataka since 2010. SKKS state convener KB Obalesha laments that the manual scavenging practice, solely affecting the Dalit community, continues due to the state government's failure to fulfil its constitutional and statutory obligations. Obalesha, who is on a mission to end manual scavenging and uplift the sanitation worker community, says, 'The Government of India enacted the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993, and the more comprehensive Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, came up in 2013. Some of the key provisions of the 2013 Act include elimination of insanitary latrines and prohibition of their construction, ban on manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning practices, mandatory identification and rehabilitation of all manual scavengers, and prescribed safety equipment and procedures for sanitation workers. Obalesha recalls that in Dr Balram Singh vs Union of India, the Supreme Court of India, through its judgment dated October 20, 2023, directed that in all sewer or septic tank deaths, a compensation of Rs 30 lakh must be paid by the State to the family of the deceased. 'Seven manual scavenging deaths have occurred in Karnataka since the SC order in 2023, and the state government has paid no compensation to the families of the deceased. Partial compensation was paid in two cases by private entities,' Obalesha says. Failure to identify manual scavengers Obalesha argues that despite the 2013 Act's clear definition and obligation to identify manual scavengers, the state government has grossly under-identified them. 'While Census 2011 recorded over 1.88 million insanitary latrines, only 7,483 manual scavengers have been identified to date.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Kangana Ranaut hails government's OTT ban to protect culture and youth
Actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has voiced strong support for the Centre's recent crackdown on OTT platforms accused of streaming sexually explicit content. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has directed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block public access to 25 such platforms, including Ullu, ALTT, Desiflix, and others like Big Shots App, Boomex, Kangan App, and Mojflix. Kangana, known for her outspoken views, lauded the move as necessary to safeguard Indian cultural values and the well-being of future generations. 'In order to preserve the overall culture of our country and the future path of our youngsters, and so that our society does not collapse completely, this step was much awaited and is now much appreciated,' she said. 'The action taken against these apps, especially the illegal ones, is highly appreciated.' The blocked platforms were reportedly in violation of multiple Indian laws, including Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000; Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023; and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. The government has also requested the Department of Telecommunications to ensure swift compliance by the ISPs in disabling these platforms. This decision follows a petition filed in the Supreme Court earlier this year seeking a ban on sexually explicit content on OTT and social media platforms. While the Supreme Court stated that it was not within its domain to act, it emphasized the need for executive intervention—prompting the present move. Ranaut's endorsement adds weight to the cultural debate surrounding digital content regulation in India.
New Indian Express
19-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Rayagada youth uses AI to create obscene video of CM Mohan Charan Majhi, held
BHUBANESWAR: The Crime Branch of Odisha Police on Wednesday arrested a man for allegedly using artificial intelligence (AI) to create an obscene video involving Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and a lady philanthropist, and posting it on his Facebook account. The accused Kishore Kausalya was arrested from his native place Ketaguda Station Sahi within Chandili police limits of Rayagada district. Police said Kausalya has done a course in electrical engineering and was working with a construction company at Tikiri in Rayagada. Investigation revealed Kausalya had used photographs of the chief minister and a lady philanthropist to create an obscene video using AI. He had then uploaded the video on his Facebook account, having around 24,000 followers, in a bid to gain fame and earn easy money. After coming across the post, a social media user lodged a complaint against Kausalya in this connection alleging he was trying to tarnish the image of the CM among the general public. The complainant also alleged that the accused had seriously hurt the dignity of the woman whose photograph was used in the obscene video. Basing on the complaint, CB registered a case on Tuesday under various sections of BNS, Information Technology Act and Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. The CB officials also approached Meta, which owns and operates Facebook, and requested it to remove the objectionable video, following which the post was taken down. During investigation, the agency's officers ascertained that the said Facebook account belonged to Kausalya, and a team left for Rayagada to arrest him. 'Apart from Facebook, the accused is active on other social media platforms like Instagram. He had posted the obscene and doctored video of the CM online in a bid to increase his followers,' CB sources said. Police found that Kausalya had posted over 50 morphed photographs of different people, some of whom are well-known, in the past. Meanwhile, CB warned that stern legal action will be taken against individuals indulging in such illegal acts. It also requested the citizens to be careful about the content they post or share on social media.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Actor Ajaz Khan booked for rape amid 'House Arrest' controversy
The Mumbai police on Sunday registered a rape case against actor Ajaz Khan. The action was taken based on a complaint by a woman who accused him of raping her under the pretext of helping her enter the film industry. In her complaint, the woman, 30, accused Ajaz Khan of raping her at multiple locations with the promise that he would help her get film roles. The actor has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections concerning rape, and a probe is underway, the official added. The FIR came a day after Khan was named in a case, along with many others, for alleged obscene content in their web show 'House Arrest', which is streamed on the Ullu app. "Based on a complaint lodged by Gautam Ravriya, an activist of Bajrang Dal, the police registered a case against actor Ajaz Khan, producer Rajkumar Pandey of the web show 'House Arrest' and other persons from the Ullu app," the official of Amboli police station said on Friday. Also read: Sex positions video from 'House Arrest' prompts NCW to summon actor Ajaz Khan, Ullu CEO As per the complaint, the web show contained obscene language, and the acts performed in the show insulted the modesty of women, he said. "The complainant mentioned that he received several complaints about the vulgar content of the show and that many people sent personal messages to him to complain about it," he added. The producer and the host of 'House Arrest' have been charged under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. The action was taken after a clip went viral on social media showing Khan pressuring contestants, including women, to act out intimate situations and asking vulgar questions to women. Last week, BJP MLC Chitra Wagh demanded an immediate ban on the show, alleging its content is harmful to society. "Ajaz Khan, who calls himself an actor, has created a show called 'House Arrest', which is nothing but the epitome of obscenity. Clips from this show, streamed on the Ullu app, are now circulating freely on social media, and they are extremely vulgar," Wagh said. With inputs from ANI, PTI
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
FIR against Ajaz Khan, ‘House Arrest' producer by Mumbai Police amid row over 'sex positions' clip
The Mumbai Police on Friday registered an FIR against actor Ajaz Khan, producer Rajkumar Pandey and others for alleged obscene content in their web show 'House Arrest' streaming on the Ullu app. 'Based on a complaint lodged by Gautam Ravriya, an activist of Bajrang Dal, the police registered a case against actor Ajaz Khan, producer Rajkumar Pandey of 'House Arrest' web show and other persons from Ullu app,' the official of Amboli police station said. Some video clips of House Arrest being circulated on social media allegedly show Ajaz Khan forcing contestants, including women, to perform intimate situations. He is also alleged to have asked the participants uncomfortable questions. The complainant alleged that the web show contained 'obscene language' and hosted acts which outraged the modesty of women. 'The complainant mentioned that he received several complaints about the vulgar content of the show and that many people sent personal messages to him to complain about it,' the official added. The producer and the host of House Arrest have been charged under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. On Friday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) summoned actor Ajaz Khan and Ullu App CEO Vibhu Agarwal after a clip from the platform's reality show 'House Arrest' went viral. On Thursday, Maharashtra BJP MLC Chitra Wagh demanded an immediate ban on 'House Arrest', alleging its content is obscene and harmful to society, especially to children. She also urged the IT minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, to take strict action against mobile applications that promote such content. 'Ajaz Khan, who calls himself an actor, has created a show called 'House Arrest', which is nothing but the epitome of obscenity. Clips from this show, streamed on the Ullu app, are now circulating freely on social media, and they are extremely vulgar,' the BJP leader alleged. (With inputs from PTI)
