Maharashtra To Form Expert Panel To Curb Obscene Advertisements
The Maharashtra government announced on Friday, July 3, 2026, that it will constitute an expert committee to recommend stricter punitive provisions to curb advertisements, hoardings, websites, and social media content that promote obscenity or incite sexual offences. The announcement was made at the Legislative Assembly in Mumbai by Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar.
The decision aims to strengthen the state's legal framework to protect the dignity of women and public morality. According to the government, the move represents a zero-tolerance policy toward indecent representations and sexual crime triggers, while attempting to balance these restrictions with the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Minister Shelar announced the formation of the panel while replying to a legislative discussion on a private member's Bill. The Bill, which sought a ban on advertisements and digital content that encourage sexual offences, was originally moved by BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar.
During his address, Shelar stated that the state government has adopted a zero-tolerance approach toward advertisements that portray women in an indecent manner, promote obscenity, or encourage sexual crimes. He asserted that strict legal action will be taken against any individuals or organisations that disseminate obscene language, images, gestures, or other objectionable content through public platforms.
The minister explained that several existing laws already provide for imprisonment and financial penalties against offenders. These laws include the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act of 1986, the Information Technology Act, and the Cable Television Networks Rules.
However, Shelar noted that the punishments prescribed under the 1986 Act and the Cable Television Networks Rules of 1994 are no longer adequate in light of changing social and technological realities.
To address these gaps, the Maharashtra government plans to work in coordination with the Central government to review and strengthen the penal provisions under relevant central laws, which will include enhancing penalties for violations.
The proposed expert committee is expected to examine the issue comprehensively. It will recommend a balanced policy designed to curb objectionable and derogatory content across both traditional and digital media, while safeguarding constitutional guarantees of free speech.
