Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, – (a) "advertisement" includes an effigy or any bill, notice, document, paper or other thing containing any words, signs or visible representations; (b) "defacement" includes impairing or interfering with the appearance of beauty, damaging, disfiguring, spoiling or injuring in any other way whatsoever and the word "deface" shall be construed accordingly; (c) "Government" means the Administrator of the Union territory of Puducherry appointed by the President under article 239 of the Constitution; (d) "objectionable advertisement" means any advertisement which is likely to – (i) incite any person to commit murder, sabotage or any offence involving violence; or (ii) seduce any member of any of the armed forces of the Union or of the police forces from his allegiance or his duty, or prejudice the recruiting of persons to serve in any such force or prejudice the discipline of any such force; or (iii) incite any section of the citizens of India to acts of violence against any other section of the citizens of India; or which– (iv) is deliberately intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of the citizens of India by insulting or blaspheming or profaning the religion or the religious beliefs of that class; or (v) is grossly indecent, or is scurrilous or obscene or intended for blackmail. Explanation. – An advertisement shall not be deemed to be objectionable merely because words or signs or visible representations are used – (1) expressing disapprobation or criticism of any law or of any policy or administrative action of the Government with a view to obtain its alteration or redress by lawful means; (2) criticising any social or religious practices without malicious intention and with an honest view to promote social or religious reform or social justice; (e) "place open to public view" includes any private place or building, monument, statue, post, wall, fence, tree or other thing or contrivance visible to a person being in, or passing along, any public place; (f) "public place" means any place (including a road, street or way, whether a thoroughfare or not and a landing place) to which the public are granted access or have a right to resort, or over which they have a right to pass.