Afghan defiance over Indian soaps

Indian soap operas have proved popular on Afghan television

Several television stations in Afghanistan have ignored a government ban on the broadcasting of Indian soap operas.

The authorities have said the broadcasts are in conflict with the country's Islamic values.

The ban came into force on Monday night, but some private television stations have continued to show the popular programmes.

The government says that infringements of the ban will result in punishment.

Conservative Muslim clerics in the country argue that the serials, which show dramatic and passionate love stories featuring the elite of Bombay, are immoral.

They often show men and women together, and what some consider to be "immodestly" dressed women.

Principles of Islam

President Hamid Karzai said: "These television programmes, which contradict the daily life of Afghans and which our people do not accept, must be stopped."

Afghan law forbids publishing material "contrary to the principles of Islam", and clerics argue that the soap operas fall into that category.

Afghanistan's most popular TV channel is defying the ban

But the most watched station in Afghanistan, Tolo TV, said the ban was illegal.

"It is an unlawful declaration, we broadcast our programmes based on media law, and we will never stop the airing of these Indian serials," said presenter Masood Qiam.

Tolo TV first showed the soap operas in 2005, and continues to broadcast two of the five programmes mentioned in the parliamentary declaration, which is supported by the Ministry of Information and Culture.