The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which provides for fines and imprisonment to curb child pornography. The amendments also include provisions for the death penalty for aggravated sexual abuse against children. Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani had introduced the Bill in the Upper House of the parliament.
However, the debate on the Bill saw Irani admonishing an MP from her own party after he referred to seeing nude photos of some of the most renowned politicians sitting on constitutional positions in this country.
Taking part in the debate in the Rajya Sabha, BJP MP Harnath Singh Yadav said, “Two years ago, a friend of mine, who is a social worker and lectures everyone on society by touring across the country. He sat with me and began to discuss porn during our conversation. I told him that I had heard about popcorn but not porn. I admire his courage that he had the audacity to show me some visuals. I was left stunned. He showed me nude photos of the country’s respected political leaders, who are sitting on constitutional posts.”
At this point, Irani got up to make an intervention as she told the acting Chairman Bhuvaneshwar Kalia. She said, “Yadav ji may be a lot older than me in age, but many women are sitting here. The entire country is watching this debate. Whatever we discuss, we must maintain dignity.”
