Whether the Indian government cared for the hundreds of farmers who have committed suicide in central India is something we can debate about. What we cannot is the fact that its commitment to safeguarding public morality is above question. Caesar's wife, you know.

The custodians of Indian morality, the venerable Information & Broadcasting Ministry, has now banned Fashion TV for two months, starting on All Fools Day. No, we are sure the government is not playing a prank on us. It does not play the fool with issues such as taste and decency.

"The transmission or re-transmission of this channel on all platforms has been prohibited...for showing programmes that are against good taste and decency, denigrate women and are likely to adversely affect public morality," a government statement said.

The ministry has objected to FTV showing programmes "that are against good taste and decency, denigrate women and are likely to adversely affect public morality." The ministry has banned FTV under sub-section (2) of Section 20 of the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995. The ministry has singled out 'Midnight Hot' - a programme broadcast after midnight by cable television networks transmitting/re-transmitting a satellite channel called FTV.Com India.

Isn't it time someone did a study called the State of Indian Morality?