Indian ban on 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' sparks backlash against censorship

As the world's largest democracy, India has long been proud of its tradition of artistic, cultural and religious freedoms.

But a series of bans, ranging from eating beef to watching the Fifty Shades Of Grey movie, has sparked accusations of a growing climate of intolerance under Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Critics say the bans show how "thin-skinned" their politicians have become in the internet age where attempts to put a lid on offending material are likely to backfire.

Indian comedy trio Enna Da Rascalas uploaded a video to YouTube last week, spoofing Michael Jackson's classic Beat It. An impersonator sings "Don't eat it, read it, see it, feel it," as she raps her way through a list of pleasures banned by India's conservative government before chorusing: "Just beep it!"

Announcing a ban earlier this month on a documentary about an infamous 2012 gang rape in Delhi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the comments by one of the rapists could fuel public anger. Days later, a government-appointed board of censors blocked the release of the erotic movie Fifty Shades Of Grey in cinemas.

And a comedy 'roast' show that featured several Bollywood stars has fallen foul of the authorities and is now at the centre of an obscenity investigation.