HC says obscenity or beauty lies in the eyes of beholder, compares cover page to Ravi Varma's painting

The Kerala High Court has given a verdict that the cover picture of the contended popular magazine was not obscene. This was a case about a magazine that put up the picture of a woman breastfeeding as the cover photo.   

The model in the cover is actress Gilu, who has made a name with films including Adam Joan (2017), Thrissivaperoor Kliptham (2017) and Ottamuri Velicham (2017). 

"Breastfeeding is a natural phenomenon. It should not be sexualised," reports quoted Gilu as saying. "My body is my pride and my right. I don't care what label I get for it," she added. With the cover, Gilu has made a strong political statement, breaking social norms associated with breastfeeding. Majority of social media users have praised Gilu for the bold decision. 

The division bench consisting of Chief Justice Antony Dominik and Justice Dama Seshadri Naidu was hearing the petition filed by Felix, who had stated that Gilu was not the real mother of the child that such a photo was illegal and obscene.

The complaint was filed under Sections dealing with Juvenile Justice Act and Obscenity. The petitioner's arguments did not convince the court.

The court said that every individual thinks in different ways. That picture can make someone feel good, others happy and the rest sad. It depends upon individual's mind. The court could not find any obscenity in the cover. And said that there was nothing wrong in its footnote too.

The court considered the cover photo in the lines of a Raja Ravi Varma's painting. The beauty and obscenity of a picture lie in the eyes of the beholder, it stated. 

The court mentioned about the pictures in Ajantha Caves and Kama Sutra books and added that Indian art gives importance to the beauty of the human body.