Combat AIDS with Indian culture, not condoms, says Health Minister

New Delhi, June 24: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has said that to prevent AIDS, promoting condom usage is not enough.

"One should also promote integrity of sexual relationship between husband and wife - a part of Indian culture," he said.

"The thrust of the AIDS campaign should not only be on the use of condoms. This sends the wrong message that you can have any kind of illicit sexual relationship, but as long as you're using a condom, it's fine," Dr Harsh Vardhan was quoted as saying.

In the same report, National AIDS Control Organisation head V.K. Subburaj differed with the minister's view.

Subburaj said condom use was being promoted by NACO among high-risk groups.

"The minister thought that we were promoting illegal activities through condoms," he was quoted as saying.

"For the vulnerable groups, we cannot tell them about morals," he said.

But Subburaj agreed with Dr Harsh Vardhan's reference to married couple's remaining faithful to one another.

"We will tell them, 'Be faithful,' " he was quoted as saying.

Dr Harsh Vardhan is currently on a tour of the United States to confer with health officials on cooperation and collaboration in vital sectors, said a statement from his ministry.

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Mangaluru: Youth arrested for misleading Instagram post targeting police

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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