Former Central Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposing three new laws to address what he described as a "horrendous situation" caused by obscene online content, particularly linking it to crimes against women. Mahurkar made the announcement at a press conference on September 30, 2026, releasing his letter to the Prime Minister outlining the legislative measures he believes are necessary.
Mahurkar's proposals include an immediate ban on pornography for minors, similar to laws in 16 other countries; a law requiring internet service providers to block obscene content using artificial intelligence under threat of punishment; and an amendment to the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, increasing jail terms to 10 years with no bail for three years and stricter enforcement. He emphasized the need for legislative intervention to combat the proliferation of such content and its connection to sexual crimes.
The call for these laws comes amid ongoing debates about regulating online content in India, where attempts to control pornographic and obscene material have faced challenges. Mahurkar’s proposals highlight the difficulties in balancing content regulation with technological and legal realities, especially given the rapid growth of digital platforms and the complexities of enforcing bans at the internet service provider level using AI.
Mahurkar publicly shared his letter and proposals on social media on September 30, 2026, marking a notable intervention in the discourse on online content regulation in India. The government has yet to respond to these specific legislative suggestions, which could influence future policy discussions on digital content and internet governance.