It looks like the Indian government is on a banning spree. After monitoring the use of swear words in films, banning beef in some states and a proposed ban on alcohol, reports have emerged that the government may have unofficially banned porn.

Although a statement is yet to be released, many internet users in India found popular porn sites inaccessible today, with a message saying the portals had been blocked by the "competent authority".

— Screengrab from http://www.indiatimes.com
— Screengrab from http://www.indiatimes.com
— Screengrab from http://www.indiatimes.com
— Screengrab from http://www.indiatimes.com

According to Scroll India, "These messages mostly appeared for subscribers to Mahanagar Telephone Limited, Bharatiya Sanchar Nigam Limited, Vodafone and ACT. However, those using Airtel, Tikona and a few other cable networks experienced no such problems."

Many drew a connection between the blocks and a recent news article in the Hindustan Times which cited a study that found more women are browsing porn compared to previous years.


Disgruntled – and amused – Indians vented on social media, condemning the blocks.

Indian film director Ram Gopal Varma poked holes in the twisted logic behind banning porn:

The government was blasted for 'nannying' its citizens:

By and large the ban has prompted many LOL moments:

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