The information and broadcasting ministry (IB) has banned the cartoon series on grounds of undesirability of its content.

"Societal concerns have to be taken note of. The ministry was revisiting the whole issue of content and regulation and it would evolve a consensus on the issue," said Anand Sharma, minister of state, IB.

The Hindi version of the Japanese manga and anime series kicked off on Indian television in 2006, after having garnered popularity in Europe, Latin America and the Far East.

The character’s mischievous acts had made him popular among kids in the country. In December 2006, the number of Shin Chan viewers, in the age group of 4-14, was a whopping 32, 91, 000, making it the most watched programme on the Hungama, the television channel that aired the show. Experts believe Shin Chan’s reach rose to 50-60 per cent by early 2008.

The ministry believes parents are worried about the unruly comments and acts shown on the show. The cartoon series shows a naughty five-year-old boy making the life of his parents miserable.

"It is good the ministry banned the cartoon. The series was having a negative impact on kids. The character does things which are prohibitory in India," said a mother of two.

Anxieties of Indian parents are not unfounded. Consider this: Shin Chan calls his mother "bacche churane wali moti budhiya" though she is neither old nor fat. In another episode, when his mother asks for a choco chip cookie, Shin Chan refuses to share it with her and replied to his mother’s question: "Itni kanjoosi tumne kahan se sikhi," with, "Tumhi se, mom."