By Erika Icon

YNOT EUROPE – Under proposed changes to India’s Indecent Representation of Women Act of 1986, people who send porn via digital pathways could land in jail for as many as seven years and face fines of up to 500,000 rupees.

The New Indian Express reported the amendments, which have been approved by the country’s cabinet and prime minister but await a vote by Parliament, “seek to increase the fine and jail term, apart from expanding its scope to include audio-visual and electronic media within its ambit. The law, at present, is applicable only to the print media.

“The IRWA was enacted with the specific objective of prohibiting the indecent representation of women through advertisement, publication, writing and painting or in any other manner, but restricted to the print media,” the Express noted. “However, technological revolution over the years has resulted in the development of newer forms of communication such as internet and satellite-based communication, multi-media messaging and cable television.”

In an official statement following the cabinet meeting, ministers wrote that they hope the amended law will “aid in addressing the problem of increased objectification of women, thereby ensuring dignity of women.”

A first conviction for dissemination of pornographic materials via email, internet or mobile phone would subject an individual to imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of 50,000 to 100,000 rupees. A second conviction would net the individual a prison sentence of not less than two years plus a fine of not less than 100,000 rupees. The seven-years-plus-500,000-rupees sentence is a maximum guideline.

India has a population of 1.2 billion people. The proposed amendment provides enforcement authority to only a select few: police officers with a rank of inspector or higher and “state and central government officers authorized by the state or central government.”

Since the 1950s, India has operated under a constitution that declares the country a secular republic. Parliament currently is dominated by the center-left Indian National Congress political party.