Mumbai: “How do I know that porn deprives and corrupts? It deprives and corrupts me.” Apparently, this is the best I could find under Google search for “famous old quotes on porn”. I was hoping some classic would appear something from the court of Louis XVI or from below the table of Dostoevsky who never seized preaching the glories of carnal sins or at least something from Oscar Wilde. But hardly! Hardly from the sort of escape value that could easily be as old as humanity’s relationship with alcohol.
When it comes to India, one is a lucrative source of revenue for the government and the other is a mortal sin. In 2015 the government of India declared ban of porn complete blockage from assessing some of the popular darlings. The move was noteworthy of all the scorn backlash and ridicule that followed.
Here at IMBesharam, we love playing with numbers and data. Our giggles knew no limits observing how porn related keyword searches spiked in India in the months to come after the ban. Some of the toys became unusually popular during the same period. The move by the government was a blessing in disguise. The demand for sex toys increased and cleared up the shelves of dildos, masturbators, vibrators and handjob gels. Thank you, India!
What is it about porn and furthermore what is it about porn in India that has forced the government to come prematurely dealing with it? Answers are not easy to find and don’t expect guidance from Hollywood either they are not exactly known for social commentary.
Yet one movie dares to argue the topic in a satirical manner. Jon Martello the main protagonist in the movie Don Jon is a mega-successful male able to “score” at whim whenever he wants it. Yet to him no pleasure with women is measurable with the sheer joy of watching porn. Plenty of it.
Porn is the cause for breaking his current relationship or so it seems. The moment of epiphany comes later when he is asked – what is it about porn that you find it better than actual sex?
I lose myself, he said. With porn I forget about myself, after which comes the reply – Well maybe it is that way because for you sex has been a one sided affair all this time. Why is this a striking moment?
Because for once porn is not the chief reason for all of humanity’s perils, instead it is a mirror of our state of affairs, the deeper problems we leave unaddressed. And yes eventually understand that porn was not the only reason his girlfriend broke up with him but she being a control freak.
Perhaps we should give porn a proper chance or at least a fair neutral spot in public debate, away from the subjectivity of morals. At the very least we know that banning is the stupidest way to address the concerns. It is like choosing an elephant in a china room.
Porn ban in India did nothing to prevent Indians watching porn, because unlike China, India doesn’t have the underlying infrastructure, a robust censorship system in place, heck we can’t even make our Aadhar system work. But it surely made for headlines all over the country and introduced porn to those who might have never heard of it.
Are there such a man in the first place? The self-righteous mantra of Jon Martello rings in my mind straight away – there is no man who doesn’t watch porn – everyday. Also heard in circles of IMbesharam offices, two pornstars are coming to India to find a suitable husband. Well if this is not the height of irony or irony of heights, then what else it could be. Nevertheless, I have to run to welcome these stars and give them a taste of Indian hospitality.
*Disclaimer: The article has been contributed by Blaze Arizanov, Director of Marketing, Imbesharam.com. The opinions expressed in the article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Deccan Chronicle and Deccan Chronicle does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
