The porn-watchers of the Karnataka assembly need to be condemned unreservedly, but they have only been foolish, not venal (The Eyes Have It, the Eyes Have It, Feb 20). Vinod Mehta, with his liberal views, will admit that many people satisfy their curiosity or derive pleasure from watching porn, and politicians are no exception. Of course, our media is the paragon of virtue, what with the soft porn doled out in our newspapers, on television and films.

P.N. Radhakrishnan, on e-mail

Our ministers, it seems, need lessons from teenagers on how to watch porn without getting caught.

Jayatheertha S.A., Hyderabad

It is preposterous that the ruling BJP in Karnataka has banned private channels inside the assembly after its ministers were found enjoying porn when serious discussions were taking place. Gandhiji, who led the freedom movement, had said his life was an open book. Why, then, should legislators hide when they are answerable to the people? Barring private channels not only suffocates people’s right to information, but is also a stumbling block to the freedom of the press. Events of public importance must be recorded.

S.R. Devaprakash, Tumkur

One of the porngate ministers offered the defence that he was conducting research on what happens in rave parties! Great argument. Perhaps he should start a PG course on the subject. Another point: most humans have a weakness for porn and have either watched or fantasised about it. The thing is, it should certainly not interfere with public duty, in public at that.

M. Kumar, on e-mail

I’d any day have MPs or mlas watching porn than them commit rape or murder.

Avinash, Bangalore

The ministers were doing nothing wrong—they were just educating themselves to help them check sexual abuse and violence against women!

Manas Mukhopadhyay, Hooghly

Now that BJP leaders have been caught watching porn in the assembly, where’s Sushma Swaraj, the bharatiya nari of the party, who holds exclusive rights to Indian culture?

Venkat, Erode

The story of ministers watching porn is so juicy that journalists had to milk it for all it is worth.

Rama Penumarthai, Secunderabad

Porngate shows how different the “party with a difference” is.

J.S. Acharya, Hyderabad

@ Pankaj...a governor was taped with 3 pros in the raj bhavan not long ago...media didnt give the coverage it needed

If ministers watch porn in their bed room it's their
problem. But if they watch such in a  legeslative house,
then its 'cultural problem' of the country, and we
can all became moral police as advocated  by the party they lead.

" The eyes have it " - too apt.

A professor in a biology class asked a girl in his class, "which part of the body expands 20 times its normal size when excited?"

The girl simpered and blushed. "I'd rather not answer the question".

The professor then asked a boy in the next row. He replied "The pupil of the eye".

The professor then turned to the girl and told her  "Your reply shows three things. One, you have not done your homework. Two, you have a dirty mind. Three, you will be sadly disappointed! "

How come Outlook chose female authoresses to talk about pornography?

Would they have invited a devout brahmin to talk about the demerits of eating chicken?

How insensitive the media is, to male issues!

To derive voyeuristic pleasure may be an usual weakness of the people from all sections, but for the persons holding an ideal status in public life, their conduct remains under constant watch on a micro level. Undoubtedly one’s closed room activities may not lead to a questionable conclusion but the alleged act of the Karnataka ministers while participating in the assembly proceedings cannot be condoned especially in view of the fact that each minute of the assembly deliberations cost heavily to the taxpayers’ money which is not meant to be squandered on enjoying pornography. Unfortunately the ministers resigned only after their initial defiance thereby destroying the BJP's tagline "The party with a difference".

As if Saba wasn't enough Sugata lists down 4 incidents of BJP leaders. Can he count the no of Congress memebers involved in UMPTEEN rapes, murders etc? Ah but then we are talking about WATCHIN porn....

Rapes and Murders prove manliness whereas watching porn ois a sissy thing! Isn't it Sugata? Now do some serious work and list down the no of SECULAR leaders invoved in far more heinous crimes... But then aap ki Rozi Roti ka sawaal hain...

3 D

Venkat, What kind of culture are we talking about here? If at all there is a 'culture' involved, it is the culture of Hypocrisy, since most men enjoy porn, but cannot admit it due to the media induced stigma.

Now, where is the Barathi Nari AKA dancing dame- Sushma Swaraj, whose party holds the exclusive rights of the Indian Culture. BJP in Karnataka has shown the world how not to run a state. The scandals are end less. Will the Bhawan Ram desend dowm and save this state from the "laxmans"

IF porn were legalised, editors like VM ( and their proteges ) may not sell enough copies of soft-porn in their mags.

IF porn were legalised, women groups may be afraid that they may not find buyers for sex as they do now.

IF porn or prostitution were legalised, Indian politicians may be unable to continue with the traditional Indian hypocrisy - watching porn at home, and also supporting extortionist women groups.

IF prostitution were legalised, too many males may enjoy benefits of good sex ( and therefore, health )

IF porn were legalised, too many males may simply love it - to the discomfort of the extortionist anti-males.

LEGALISE prostitution and pornography.

I would anyday have a Porn watching minister/MLA than rapist & murdering MLAs - be it in Goa/Rajasthan which never get reported.

The editor of Outlook Mr.Vinod Mehta was renowned for being the editor of Indias first porn magazine Debonair. Look whos lecturing on morality!

Why hasnt the author talked of the 40 other MLAs including opposition members who also watched the same clip? Who was the journos who sent the MMS to the MLAs first?

Paid hit job by corrupt anti-national media

I would anyday have a Porn watching minister/MLA than rapist & murdering MLAs - be it in Goa/Rajasthan which never get reported.

The editor of Outlook Mr.Vinod Mehta was renowned for being the editor of Indias first porn magazine Debonair. Look whos lecturing on morality!

Why hasnt the author talked of the 40 other MLAs including opposition members who also watched the same clip? Who was the journos who sent the MMS to the MLAs first?

Paid hit job by corrupt anti-national media

IF porn were legalised, editors like VM ( and their proteges ) may not sell enough copies of soft-porn in their mags.

IF porn were legalised, women groups may be afraid that they may not find buyers for sex as they do now.

IF porn or prostitution were legalised, Indian politicians may be unable to continue with the traditional Indian hypocrisy - watching porn at home, and also supporting extortionist women groups.

IF prostitution were legalised, too many males may enjoy benefits of good sex ( and therefore, health )

IF porn were legalised, too many males may simply love it - to the discomfort of the extortionist anti-males.

LEGALISE prostitution and pornography.

Now, where is the Barathi Nari AKA dancing dame- Sushma Swaraj, whose party holds the exclusive rights of the Indian Culture. BJP in Karnataka has shown the world how not to run a state. The scandals are end less. Will the Bhawan Ram desend dowm and save this state from the "laxmans"

3 D

Venkat, What kind of culture are we talking about here? If at all there is a 'culture' involved, it is the culture of Hypocrisy, since most men enjoy porn, but cannot admit it due to the media induced stigma.

As if Saba wasn't enough Sugata lists down 4 incidents of BJP leaders. Can he count the no of Congress memebers involved in UMPTEEN rapes, murders etc? Ah but then we are talking about WATCHIN porn....

Rapes and Murders prove manliness whereas watching porn ois a sissy thing! Isn't it Sugata? Now do some serious work and list down the no of SECULAR leaders invoved in far more heinous crimes... But then aap ki Rozi Roti ka sawaal hain...

To derive voyeuristic pleasure may be an usual weakness of the people from all sections, but for the persons holding an ideal status in public life, their conduct remains under constant watch on a micro level. Undoubtedly one’s closed room activities may not lead to a questionable conclusion but the alleged act of the Karnataka ministers while participating in the assembly proceedings cannot be condoned especially in view of the fact that each minute of the assembly deliberations cost heavily to the taxpayers’ money which is not meant to be squandered on enjoying pornography. Unfortunately the ministers resigned only after their initial defiance thereby destroying the BJP's tagline "The party with a difference".

How come Outlook chose female authoresses to talk about pornography?

Would they have invited a devout brahmin to talk about the demerits of eating chicken?

How insensitive the media is, to male issues!

" The eyes have it " - too apt.

A professor in a biology class asked a girl in his class, "which part of the body expands 20 times its normal size when excited?"

The girl simpered and blushed. "I'd rather not answer the question".

The professor then asked a boy in the next row. He replied "The pupil of the eye".

The professor then turned to the girl and told her  "Your reply shows three things. One, you have not done your homework. Two, you have a dirty mind. Three, you will be sadly disappointed! "

If ministers watch porn in their bed room it's their
problem. But if they watch such in a  legeslative house,
then its 'cultural problem' of the country, and we
can all became moral police as advocated  by the party they lead.

@ Pankaj...a governor was taped with 3 pros in the raj bhavan not long ago...media didnt give the coverage it needed