CPI politician Atul Anjan isn't the first, Sunny Leone is the favorite target of vapid moralisation

Let’s get one thing out straight and clear — Sunny Leone has worked in porn films. Many people knew this before her Bigg Boss entry in 2011 and almost everybody has known it since.

However, clearly she hasn’t been able to shake off the tag of ‘porn star’ despite being part of several Bollywood films and item songs which have been moderately successful. And it is this tag that has often made her the target of vapid moralisation.

The latest in the ‘shame-on-Sunny-Leone’ brigade is senior CPI leader Atul Anjan, who said that Sunny Leone’s condom advertisements will lead to a rise in the number of rapes in India.

“Sunny Leone naam ki ek aurat hai. Duniya ki sabse nangi filmon ki woh heroine rahi hai. Agar condom ke is tarah ke prachaar desh ke television aur akhbaaron mein chale, toh rape ki ghatnaaein badhengi,” (There is a woman called Sunny Leone. She has been the heroine in nude films. If such condom ads are shown on the country’s television sets and in newspapers, then the number of rape incidents will increase) said Anjan.

It should be noted that Anjan is the national secretary of the CPI and he made these comments at a public rally in Uttar Pradesh. A local leader addressing a rally is sure to have lots of attention and such comments are highly responsible in a state, where women’s safety is a one of the major concerns.

The ads that Anjan is talking about are for Manforce Condoms and like all other ads for condoms, feature a voluptuous, scantily clad woman, the only exception is that the woman here is a known face like Sunny Leone. And while condom ads are not uncommon in India, with even actor Ranveer Singh endorsing Durex condoms, it’s her presence that will ‘increase rapes’. While people like Anjan may squirm at condom ads, the truth is that it is something important for safe sexual practices.

However, this is not the first time that Leone has been targeted for her ‘obscene’ image.

Earlier, a Mumbai housewife had filed an FIR against her because she found several obscene posts and pictures of the actress while surfing the internet, saying “Such posts poison the minds of people and especially children.”

Many on social media don’t let any opportunity to drag her name to make their posts funnier go by. While the controversy over Radhe Maa dancing and wearing Western clothes was raging online, many compared her to Leone as well.

Back in May, The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) lodged a first information report (FIR) against her and demanded her deportation , accusing her of promoting vulgarity through nude and provocative pictures posted on her website.

While nobody is denying that there are indeed provocative photographs of Leone on the internet, she is hardly the first Indian actress to have them. Every Bollywood actress worth her salt has done a sensual song or scene and a simple Google search will show that all of them have similar pictures posted online. All this points to the fact that Sunny Leone’s pictures are being ‘moralised’ only because of her past record as a porn actress.

Anjan’s comments parked off debates on Twitter bordering on serious criticism of such comments as well jokes on the absurdity of Anjan’s statements. If nothing else, Anjan gained the honour of being trending on Twitter for hours.

Here’s what Indian Twitterarti had to say about the whole incident

Male deodorant ads are way more vulgar & offensive than Sunny Leone condom ads. India NEEDS more condom ads! Heck, even free condoms.

— Pallavi | ThatDesiGirl.eth (@ThatDesiGirl) September 3, 2015

If someone makes love on screen: Pornstar. Chee. Bad influence.
If someone kills people on screen: Action hero. Superstar. Please become CM.

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) September 3, 2015

Please give him one of those condoms. He must not reproduce ! pic.twitter.com/kQHMgZv6yl

— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) September 1, 2015

After short skirts and chowmein...the blame is now on Sunny leone and her condom Ads...Brilliant Soch!!! #loosers #growup

— RASHI MAHESHWARI (@rashee_24) September 3, 2015

I so wish Atul Anjan's parents used a condom that night.

— Nincompoop स्वेग 🙃 (@PriyancaBajaj) September 3, 2015

Actually Atul Anjan's full name translates to 'incomparable ignorance'.
Says it all.

— Badass (@Her_badassness) September 3, 2015

How chauvinist. - don't blame the mindset, blame the ad/woman for rape - shame on Atul anjan

— pallavi ghosh (@_pallavighosh) September 3, 2015