Pornography in Bangladesh

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In Bangladesh, pornography in any form is illegal. It is against the law to watch, produce, distribute, or possess pornography since the enactment of the Pornography Control Act in 2012. [1]

Contents

History

Pre-independence and early post-independence eras

In the Bengal region under British colonial rule, pornographic content was primarily confined to print media, such as erotic literature and nascent sexual periodicals. These periodicals, which featured nude photographic inserts, were constrained by the printing technology and colonial censorship of the 1940s through the 1970s. [2] This material often consisted of smuggled foreign publications. They were scarce in Muslim-majority East Bengal due to Islamic cultural prohibitions and limited distribution systems. Consequently, access was restricted to elite or clandestine circles. [3]

Following Bangladesh's independence in 1971, visual pornography began to emerge through cut-pieces. These were short celluloid clips of explicit sexual acts, illegally inserted during the screening of mainstream action films in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in semi-rural cinema halls. [4] Typically 1–2 minutes in length and featuring regional performers, these unauthorized stag-film segments evaded the Bangladesh Film Censor Board. They were added to the films after certification and removed before any formal inspections. [5]

In the mid-1980s, the arrival of VHS cassettes accelerated the availability of moving-image pornography through blue films smuggled from India and abroad. These spread widely in clandestine rental markets and began to compete with local cinema. [6]

From the late 1980s through the 1990s, VHS tapes enabled small-scale domestic dubbing of foreign content onto affordable cassettes. While this fostered a shift from communal cut-piece viewing in cinemas to private or group video viewing in urban Dhaka and rural areas, supply remained limited due to import risks and primitive duplication equipment. The media of this era were ephemeral, and tapes were often erased or hidden for fear of capture. [6]

Transition to the digital age

Beginning in the late 1990s, the expansion of internet infrastructure in Bangladesh facilitated the distribution of pornography. Internet subscribers grew from 186,000 in 2000 to 617,300 by 2009, [7] a surge driven primarily by the proliferation of cyber cafés in urban areas like Dhaka. In these cyber cafés, users could gain affordable access to global pornographic websites. [8]

In the mid-2000s, digital storage media such as CDs and USB drives replaced celluloid reels, allowing for the easy portability and duplication of pornographic material. The introduction of cheap mobile data plans in the late 2000s and early 2010s further accelerated this evolution. Smartphone use enabled peer-to-peer sharing and rudimentary streaming of both imported and amateur domestic content, especially around 2010 as online uploads of locally produced clips began to increase. [9]

As early as March 2009, ad hoc measures were taken to block specific pornography-hosting sites. While these initial blocks targeted public foreign platforms, they proved ineffective due to VPNs and local networks. [10]

Types of publication

Print

Pornographic materials may include perverted and paraphilic novels, sometimes with illustrations, which are often sold by small roadside book shops. [11]

Internet

In 2009, studies by the Manusher Jonno Foundation found increase in production of child pornography. [12] In 2013, a report by the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha cited a study that found that over 30 million taka worth of pornography is downloaded per month in cyber cafes in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The report also found that 77 percent of pornography viewers were underage. [11]

In 2015, the High Court Division asked the government to stop pornographic material in social media. [13] In 2016, Bangladesh government minister Tarana Halim, had announced plans to block internet porn sites in Bangladesh. [14] The information and telecommunications minister of the 11th parliamentary government of Bangladesh Mostafa Zabbar blocked nearly 20,000 porn websites access in Bangladesh from November 2018 to February 2019. [15]

Legality

The Pornography Control Act of 2012 defined pornography as images and videos depicting nudity or semi-nudity. The Act criminalizes pornography, making the possession, distribution and production of pornographic material illegal in the country.

The maximum punishment for producing pornography is up to 7 years of imprisonment with hard labour with fines up to 200,000 BDT. The minimum punishment for possessing and distributing pornographic material can be up to 5 years of imprisonment with labour and fines up to 200,000 BDT.

Possession, distribution, production and publication of child pornography can result in up to 10 years in prison with labour and fines up to 500,000 BDT. [16]

Socio-cultural attitudes

The law has been welcomed by most Bangladeshis. [17] However, critics argue that while the law may deter blackmailing and exploitation, it ill be difficult to enforce. [17] In 2012, the Press Secretary to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Abul Kalam Azad, stated that "pornography has spread like a disease in Bangladesh". [18] Pornography is viewed negatively and is blamed for turning children into "perverts". [19]

Actors

Jazmin Chaudhry

Jazmin Chaudhry
জেজমিন চৌধুরী।
Jazmin adjusted.jpg
Born
Yasmin Chaudhry [20] [21]

(1985-05-15) May 15, 1985 (age 40) [20] [21]
Chattogram [20] [21]
Other namesSudha, Jazmine, Jasmine, Jazmine Chaudhry, Jazmin, Lucy Heart
Occupation Pornographic actor [20] [21]
Years active2004–2008 [22] [23] [24]
Employer Spiegler Girls (2004)
Notable work• Bangladesh Booty
• Orgy World: The Next Level 7
• Worship This Bitch 3: The Jazmin Edition
• BiggZ and the Beauties 11
• Bounce
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm) [22]
Children1 [23] [24]
Awards2005 AVN Awards (Best Group Sex Scene, Video) for Orgy World: The Next Level 7 (as Jasmine) [25] [26]

Jazmin Chaudhary (better known as Jazmin) is a Bangladesh-born American adult film actress. She is the first pornographic actor known to have been born in Bangladesh. [20] [21] [23] [24] Born on May 15, 1985, in Chattogram, Bangladesh, she moved to the United States with her parents at a young age. There, at the age of 19, she came into pornographic acting. [20] [21] [23] [24] In her five year career between 2004 and 2008, she featured in over 90 films, and worked for Spiegler Girls [27] (one of the most influential agencies in the adult film industry [28] ). [23] [24] At the 2005 AVN Awards Show (the top award in adult industry [29] ), Jazmin (credited as Jasmine) won the award of Best Group Sex Scene, Video for Orgy World: The Next Level 7 by Evasive Angles. [25] [26] Bangladesh Booty, the first Bangladesh-themed pornographic film was made with Jazmin in the lead. [20] [21] [23] [24] She retired from the adult industry in 2008 with a husband and a son. [23] [24]

Ria Barde

Bangladeshi citizen Ria Barde, also known as Arohi Barde, emerged as another figure in the adult film industry, having been internationally active until she was arrested in Maharashtra, India, on September 26, 2024, on charges of overstaying with forged documents. [30] [31] [32] [33]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Anti-porn law has 7 years in jail". bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  2. ↑ Patra, Bijleeraj (3 July 2022). "A short history of the 'Blue-Photo': Bengali sex magazines and the visual empire of printed images (1940–1970)". Porn Studies. 9 (3): 312–323. doi:10.1080/23268743.2021.1947882. ISSN   2326-8743 . Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  3. ↑ Sengupta, Rangeet (2012). "'Rati Viparite' : Gitagovinda and Erotic (Trans)migrations in Nineteenth Century Bengal I". Literature Compass. 9 (6): 441–452. doi:10.1111/j.1741-4113.2012.00888.x. ISSN   1741-4113 . Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  4. ↑ Hoek, Lotte (25 March 2025). "Cut-Pieces". Columbia University Press. Columbia University Press . Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  5. ↑ Sreedhar, Darshana (2 January 2015). "Cut-pieces: celluloid obscenity and popular cinema in Bangladesh". Porn Studies . 2 (1): 112–114. doi:10.1080/23268743.2014.993571. ISSN   2326-8743 . Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  6. 1 2 Hoek, L. (2006). "The mysterious whereabouts of the cut-pieces dodging the film censors in Bangladesh" (PDF). International Institute for Asian Studies . University of Leiden . Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  7. ↑ "World Bank Open Data". World Bank Open Data (in Latin). Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  8. ↑ Mostofa, Sk. Mamun; Isla, Shariful (2013). "A Snapshot survey of Cyber café users in Dhaka City, Bangladesh" (PDF). International Science Community Association. ISSN   2277-2502 . Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  9. ↑ Hoek, Lotte (2 January 2020). "When celluloid pornography went digital: class and race in the Bangladeshi cut-piece online" (PDF). Porn Studies. 7 (1): 97–114. doi: 10.1080/23268743.2019.1607539 . ISSN   2326-8743 . Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  10. ↑ "Bangladesh" (PDF). OpenNet Initiative. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  11. 1 2 "Let's talk about porn". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  12. ↑ "Studies show rise in child pornography". The Daily Star. 20 August 2009. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  13. ↑ "Stop pornography in social media: HC". The Daily Star. 10 May 2015. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  14. ↑ "Tarana vows to block porn sites". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  15. ↑ ‘১৫৬৩৬টি পর্ন ও ২২৩৫টি জুয়ার ওয়েবসাইট খুঁজে পেয়েছি’ [We have found 15,636 porn and 2,235 gambling websites]. Jamuna Television (in Bengali). 18 February 2019.
  16. ↑ "পর্নোগ্রাফি নিয়ন্ত্রণ আইন, ২০১২ | ৮। দণ্ড". bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  17. 1 2 Jillani, Shahzeb (2 January 2012). "Bangladesh cabinet approves anti-pornography law". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  18. ↑ "Bangladesh Seeks Law to Criminalize Pornography". International Business Times. 2 January 2012. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  19. ↑ "77pc schoolchildren watch pornography". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 18 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 প্রথম বাংলাদেশি পর্নস্টার (The First Bangladeshi Pornstar). Jai Jai Din (in Bengali). Dhaka, Bangladesh. 15 June 2006.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 প্রথম বাংলাদেশী পর্ন তারকা (The First Bangladeshi Pornstar). Jugantor (in Bengali). Dhaka, Bangladesh. 12 April 2006.
  22. 1 2 Jazmin Chaudhry at the Internet Adult Film Database
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 বাংলাদেশী জেসমিনের আদ্যোপান্ত পর্ন জগতে (All about Bangladeshi pornstar Jasmine). Daily Fulki. Dhaka, Bangladesh. 30 September 2019. Archived from the original on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 বাংলাদেশী জেসমিনের আদ্যোপান্ত পর্ন জগতে (All about Bangladeshi pornstar Jasmine). Amader Kagoj. Dhaka, Bangladesh. 30 September 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  25. 1 2 "2005 AVN Awards Show Winners Announced". business.avn.com. 8 January 2005. Archived from the original on 17 March 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  26. 1 2 "Orgy World: The Next Level 7 (2004)". Internet Adult Film Database (IAFD). 20 October 2004. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  27. ↑ Jazmin, Spiegler Girls, archived from original
  28. ↑ Dave Gardetta (1 November 2006). "The Teenager & The Porn Star". Los Angeles . Retrieved 2 November 2013.
    Daniel Miller (15 November 2012). "Inside the Risky Business of Porn Star Agents". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 2 November 2013.
    Sarah Feldberg (12 January 2009). "A breaststroke through the porn talent pool with Mark Spiegler". Las Vegas Weekly . Retrieved 2 November 2013.
    Richard Abowitz (8 January 2011). "At AVN Weekend with Porn's Top Talent Agent". The Daily Beast . Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  29. ↑ "The Oscars of Porn". The Sydney Morning Herald . 9 January 2006. Retrieved 25 July 2007.
    Hopkins, Brent (3 June 2007). "Porn: The Valley's Secret Industry". Los Angeles Daily News . Archived from the original on 6 June 2007. Retrieved 25 July 2007. [...] earned seven Adult Video News awards, referred to as the Oscars of porn.
    Schmader, David (9 March 2000). "Porn's Big Night". The Stranger . Retrieved 25 July 2007. [...] the most prestigious event in the world of adult film: the Adult Video News Awards, hereby known as the Avis, popularly known as the porno Oscars.
    English, James F. (30 June 2009). The Economy of Prestige: Prizes, Awards, and the Circulation of Cultural Value. Harvard University Press. p. 96. ISBN   978-0-674-03653-6 . Retrieved 18 January 2014.
    Unidad Editorial Internet, S.L. "Rebeca Linares, una 'pornstar' en Las Vegas". El Mundo. Spain.
    "AVN Awards: gli Oscar del porno". cineblog.it. 15 January 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
    Feinberg, Scott (24 February 2017). ""Oscars of Porn" vs. the Oscars: The Surprising Similarities". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  30. ↑ "Who is Riya Barde alias Arohi Barde, Bangladeshi porn star arrested for fake Indian documents?". Hindustan Times. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  31. ↑ Gupta, Pradeep (26 September 2024). "Riya Barde Arrested: Maharashtra Cops Nab Bangladeshi Porn Star for Illegal Stay in India". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  32. ↑ "Who Is Riya Barde, Bangladeshi Porn Star Arrested For Faking Indian Citizenship?". Zee News. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  33. ↑ "Bangladeshi porn star Riya Barde arrested for illegally living in Maharashtra". Deccan Herald. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
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