Delhi: Former Union Minister and Congress leader Milind Deora feels that the government directing internet providers to block 857 porn sites is akin to "Talibanisation" of the country.


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The Congress leader from Mumbai posted on micro-blogging site Twitter: "And the government takes one more step towards the Talibanization of India. The latest ban is not about liking or disliking porn. It's about government hijacking personal liberties. What'll they ban next - phones & TVs?"


In another post he wrote: "As for the 'I've never watched porn' holier-than-thou trolls, it's pretty evident from your display pictures that you're telling lies."




The government has ordered blocking of 857 porn websites and plans to put in place an ombudsman to look into cyber content-related issues, even as a debate raged on social media over Internet censorship.


The Department of Electronics and Information Technology has asked Internet service providers to take down 857 porn websites, an official said, as per PTI.


The official, however, said it was a temporary measure till the final orders are pronounced by the top court.


Explaining rationale for the decision, a top government official said the government has merely complied with the Supreme Court directive asking for measures to block porn sites, particularly those dealing with child pornography.


The official, however, said that since the issue is very complicated, the case must be heard in detail by involvement of NGOs, civil society, parental groups, child councilors, ISPs and government, and after hearing the views of all, let the court come with some guidelines.


(With PTI inputs)