Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding censorship of Internet streaming services allegedly showing programmes with unbridled violence and sex which he claimed has led to a spike in crimes against women and children.

He also sought to bring such content under the purview of criminal activity so that legal action could be taken against those involved in making the shows.

Data compiled by National Commission for Women (NCW) reveals there were 587 complaints of crimes against women from March 23 to April 16 during the first phase of the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. There were 239 cases of domestic violence during this period in comparison to 123 cases between February 27 and March 22.

At present there are many streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney Hotstar and Amazon Prime accessible in the country along with several mobile and Internet service providers.

However, no survey or investigation has been carried out on the impact of OTT or Internet-based streaming services on the incidence of crime, especially those against women and children.

“Several service providers are showing various programmes, movies and serials containing excessive violence or open exhibition of sex because censorship is not implemented on them. Such content is leaving a very bad effect on the minds of those who view them,” Nitish said in his letter to Modi.

The chief minister asserted that the long-term viewing of such programmes was “negatively effecting the mentality of some people due to which serious social issues were coming up, including crimes against women and children”.

Nitish pointed out that these services were popular because they were like an online video library from which consumers can watch content whenever they want. The subscription rates are also lower than DTH and cable TV services, he claimed.

“These programmes are directly available to consumers. There is ambiguity in rules and laws related to them so censorship cannot be imposed. This uncensored access has led many people to watch obscene and violent content, which is unwarranted,” Nitish said.

He also said it was sad and worrisome that incidents of rape and crimes against women and children were happening almost in every state.

“I request immediate deliberation on this serious issue and take appropriate action to bring the programmes being telecast by streaming services under the purview of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, for certification. Moreover, the creation and telecast of such obscene and violent content should be brought under the purview of crime so that legal action should be taken against people related to them,” Nitish said.

Patna-based psychologist Binda Singh told The Telegraph: “It is true that violent or adult content was being shown by the streaming services, but their impact on the people depends on their maturity level. Children and sensitive people could be stopped from viewing such programmes. Why only streaming services? There are several TV channels that continuously telecast shows based on crime.”

She said there was no clinical data to indicate the impact of streaming services on any increase in crime. “But children do become negatively affected by such programmes because they tend to take them seriously as a lifestyle option. However, it is the duty of the parents to exercise control on what the children watch. We cannot shut down any business,” she added.

Nitish had also written to Modi in December 2019 to ban pornographic websites.

The psychologist pointed out that there has been no worthwhile impact on availability of pornography on the Internet despite Nitish’s letter.