377 child porn sites shut, 50 FIRs filed, Smriti Irani tells Rajya Sabha

On Thursday, Smriti Irani, Union Minister for Women & Child Development told the Rajya Sabha that the Govt. had taken down 377 child pornography websites & 50 FIRs were filed.

She was responding to AIADMK MP Vijila Sathyanath who raised the issue of easy availability of pornographic material on the Internet & its impact on children during Zero Hour.

AIADMK MP Vijila Sathyanath said, “I want to plead with the government, just stop this nonsense. I know the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology administered an Act. They have made various provisions under different Sections, but everything is readily available on Internet. Completely ban these things coming on social media & Internet & save our children".

Smriti Irani said that each MP & district official should report such content so that it can be taken down immediately.

She said the House had already passed special penal provisions against child pornography online.

Irani said, “We are trying to make the district administration the fulcrum of this coordinated effort”.

Anyone could call on child helpline 1098 & report the incidents, she added.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu said it was really painful & it required action at the local, lower level. “Parents are having mental agony & nobody is able to say anything. Moreover, it is not a political or partisan issue...The Minister can have consultation with some well meaning members who are interested,” Mr. Naidu said.

Source Link