5 Bans That Defined India's Controversies in 2015

The year 2015 can be rightly called as 'Year of Bans' where people witnessed many bans imposed by the government of India for various reasons.

The year 2015 can be rightly called as 'Year of Bans' where people witnessed many bans imposed by the government of India for various reasons. Let us take a look back at the things that were banned.

Beef Ban

The ban imposed on beef was considered the most controversial and much talked about ban in India this year. After 20 long years the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 1995 was passed by President Pranab Mukherjee which implied the slaughter of bulls and bullocks as a punishable offence.

According to the law any one found in possession of beef will have to either pay a fine of Rs.10000 or will have to serve a sentence of five years. There were also lots of incidents related to beef consumption in various parts of India. It is well noted that Supreme Court imposed anti-cow slaughter law in 2005.

Karnataka's Party Ban

The Karnataka government in late February decided to ban parties involving foreign invitees by imposing some strong rules and regulations to be followed which did not go down well with the party organizers in Karnataka.

Movies

The Indian Censor Board once again was on their toes when it came to sexuality and violence being shown on screen. Ultimately this led the Central Board of Film Certification to ban movies like Fifty Shades of Grey and Unfreedom. The ban was not only stipulated to movies but even the documentary 'India's Daughter' which was based on the 2012 Delhi gang rape was banned by the Indian government from being broadcasted in India. The censor board also played its hand in muting curse words and toning down sexual content in movies like Sunny Leone starrer Mastizaade and Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3 both of which are slated for release in 2016.

Maggi

The banning of Maggi was the most unexpected one of the year which took everyone by surprise. In early May, food safety regulators from Uttar Pradesh reported the high level of lead content found in Maggi which led the Delhi government to ban the sales of Maggi. This decision was immediately followed in several states. But eventually after a legal battle Maggi was back on the shelves in November after being banned for five months.

Pornography

The one ban that received criticism from all corners of the country was the ban imposed on pornography. In July end under section 79(3) (b) of the IT Act 2000 almost 850 pornography websites were banned by the Indian government. But within a week of imposing the ban it was lifted again.

Upcoming Liquor Ban in 2016

After the landslide victory in the Bihar elections Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the ban of liquor in Bihar which will come into action from April 2016. It’s well known fact that Gujarat and Nagaland have imposed complete ban on liquor.