NEW DELHI: India has banned Fashion TV for nine days after finding a program it aired offended good taste and decency by showing women partially
nude.

India is deeply conservative about sexual content in television and film. Until recently, even kissing was unacceptable.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry statement said FTV channel would go off the air later Thursday until March 21. The statement cited an unnamed FTV program aired in September that showed women with nude upper bodies.

FTV, an international channel based in Vienna, could not be immediately reached for comment.

India banned the same channel in 2007 for 60 days over programs such as ``Midnight Hot,'' showing scantily clad models.