Lok Sabha Question No. 5187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Violation of Religion Sentiments on OTT Platforms
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Balya Mama Suresh Gopinath Mhatre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5187 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## VIOLATION OF RELIGION SENTIMENTS ON OTT PLATFORMS

5187. SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state;

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the content/web series aired on OTT platforms often contain excessive depictions of sex, violence, abuse, vulgarity and content disrespectful to religious sentiments;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto along with the number of  complaints related to such content received so far, State/UT-wise particularly in Maharashtra;
- (c) the current legal procedures and penalties applicable for violations of  religious  sentiments  and  other  objectionable  content  on  OTT platforms;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  introduce  new regulatory laws or establish a dedicated regulatory authority for OTT platforms to address concerns related to objectionable, vulgar, obscene, sensitive or fake content; and
- (e) if so, the specific details of the proposal and the timeline fixed for its implementation?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR  INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L MURUGAN):

(a)  to  (e):  The  Government  has  notified  Information  Technology (Intermediary  Guidelines  and  Digital  Media  Ethics  Code)  Rules,  2021 (IT Rules, 2021) on 25th February, 2021 under Information Technology Act, 2000.

Part-III  of  these  Rules,  administered  by  Ministry  of  Information  and Broadcasting,  provides  for  a  Code  of  Ethics  for  publishers  of  online curated  content  (OTT  platforms)  and  three  tier  grievance  redressal mechanism to address grievances relating to violation of the Code of Ethics by the OTT platforms. The Code provides for general principles to  be  followed  by  OTT  platforms  which  inter  alia  provide  that  a publisher  shall  take  into  consideration  India's  multi-racial  and  multireligious  context  and  exercise  due  caution  and  discretion  when featuring  the  activities,  beliefs,  practices  or  view  of  any  racial  or religious group.The Code also requires OTT players not to transmit any content which is prohibited by law and to undertake age based selfclassification of content into 5 categories, as under:

| Nature of Content (suitable for)                                                                                  | Classification   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|
| Unrestricted access, regardless of age, and is family friendly                                                    | U                |
| For persons aged 7 years and above, and can be viewed by a person under the age of 7 years with parental guidance | U/A 7+           |

| For persons aged 13 years and above, and can be viewed by a person under the age of 13 years with parental guidance   | U/A 13+   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|
| For persons aged 16 years and above, and can be viewed by a person under the age of 16 years with parental guidance   | U/A 16+   |
| Restricted to adults                                                                                                  | A         |

Besides, Section  79(3)(b)  of  IT  Act,  2000  provides  for  notification  by appropriate Governments  of unlawful act or content to the intermediaries for removing/disabling access to such content. Ministry  of  Information  and  Broadcasting  takes  action  against  OTT platforms for hosting content which is violative  of  the Code of Ethics or other Indian laws  under the existing statutory framework.

*****