Think before you forward porn

Forwarding porn MMS and e-mails has been declared an offence punishable with jail.

Be it the startling DPS school case where the MMS of a teen was leaked or the infamous Ashmit Patel-Riya Sen fiasco: those not interested in viewing scandalous videos, received as multi-media messages (MMS) have expressed their opinions extensively. Yet, sharing porn over phone or e-mails is common amongst youngsters.

But this shall not remain so, if a recent bill by the Union Cabinet becomes a law. In effect, it means that anyone who sends a pornographic MMS or email, may land up in jail for a maximum period of three years and fines ranging from Rs 2000 to Rs 50,000 going upto Rs One lakh for first conviction. In case of repeat offence, the imprisonment may extend to seven years and slapping of fine between Rs One - Five lakh. Metrolife takes a reality check with youngsters and lawyers to get a clearer picture on the issue.

The fairer sex is happy that such a bill has been proposed, for in the case of a complaint, the case shall be paid due and serious attention. The girls believe their case will be strengthened and they will be encouraged to report them, since it will attract severe penalties.

Naina Gupta, a 24-year old medical councellor says, “The bill is absolutely correct because if you sign into your mail and randomly receive an anonymous porn mail then it can be very irritating. And you know that the cops will not file an FIR for it or take any strict action unless there is a stringent law. This bill will enable action against such activities.” Do the young men feel the same? Atleast those who have seen their female relatives suffer are happy with the bill.

Infact, few youngsters also believe that the bill if made into a law, it will on the flipside, also provide an opportunity for settling grudges. Nilabh Narang, a 25-year-old engineering student says, “There is a sound understanding between friends who share porn MMS or emails but there are high chances of the law being misused. For instance, I can send a porn MMS from somebody’s phone (in his absence) to myself and then delete it from message history. In such a case, I can take revenge with whom I not on good terms.”

“In every law there is a risk factor involved,” says Kamini Jaiswal, advocate, Supreme Court who feels that, “if the police has to take an action they really don’t need a law. Unfortunately this mentality does not exist in our country!” According to her, the bill could be a possible fallout of the recent increase in such cases.

The question is whether among friends someone will report such a matter at all? “It has happened once when one of my friends had sent me a link to a porn site and I asked him to not send me such mails. He didn’t send me any more messages after that but if it happens again then I will ignore it but not report it,” says Pankaj Suri, a 25-year-old professional.