A case has been filed against Malayalam magazine Grihalakshmi for featuring actress and writer Gilu Joseph breastfeeding a child on the cover of its latest edition. Kerala advocate Vinod Mathew Wilson has filed the case which alleges that the picture is 'lascivious' in nature and appeals "to prurient interests and tends to degrade the dignity of womanhood." The complaint alleges that offenses under Sections 3 and 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 have been committed, reported Firstpost.

The legal action comes while Grihalakhsmi and Joseph are garnering praises for the bold step that embraces motherhood. The text below Joseph's picture reads: "Mothers tell Kerala, 'please don't stare, we need to breastfeed'". The photo also garnered eyeballs on social media following which it kickstarted a debate on breastfeeding in public.

As the talks of the cover photo grew, many noted that it seems to be the first time an Indian magazine has published a cover image of a woman breastfeeding. Also, the fact that the model is not a mother herself stirred the debate further. In the past, celebrities have posted pictures of them breastfeeding on social media or posed for one.

Here is the magazine cover that is causing the debate:

Gilu Joseph told Indian Express Malayalam that she was not apprehensive about appearing on the cover but her family did not approve of her decision. However, Joseph remained undeterred about her decision.

Along with heaps of praises, Joseph has been ridiculed too on the social media. She was accused of doing a cheap publicity stunt. The sindoor and mangalsutra have also caused debates which are considered patriarchal. However, Joseph said that through the photo she wanted to send the message to mothers in India that they can breastfeed their children without having to think about the opinions of people around them.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 02, 2018 02:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).