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| Protstng porn ban - Khajuraho violates modern interpretation of Indian culture |
Though the ban on porn has unfolded over the last two or three days, there were some clues that this was coming. In November Telecom Minister Ravishankar Prasad had said porn was anti-Indian culture.
Nothing exposes the hollowness of this argument as the temple erotic art, which dates back to thousands of years, and are as intrinsic to Indian heritage as the four vedas are.
For many upset about the porn ban in India, the magnificent erotic art at Khajuraho is emerging as a symbol of protest against unwarranted moral policing by the government.
A few users at Reddit had proposed to trend a hashtag #Khajuraho to protest the online ban.
Firstpost said Indians were angry at the government move and are looking for an Anna Hazare to rally them. If anyone tries to do that the Khajuraho sculptures would come handy.
The Khajuraho temples feature a variety of art work, of which 10% is sexual art, depicted both outside and inside the temples.
Scholars are divided over why ancient Indians brought erotica to their places of worship. Some say these are tantric sexual practices and some infuse deep symbolisms to them.
Most plausibly, ancient Indians saw life as composed of secular and spiritual elements, where everything had its place, including sex, and was nothing to be ashamed of. Indian culture was open, receptive and middle-path.
It is that lesson which is lost on its modern proponents.
Photo gallery of erotic temple art from Khajuraho
Erotic Sculptures at the Khajuraho Temples (India)