A boom in “sari-rippers”, India’s version of romantic bodice-ripper novels, has set readers on a collision course with Hindu nationalist politicians intent on preserving the country’s moral fibre.

In the socially conservative subcontinent, where kissing in films is censored and couples can be fined for public displays of affection, women are rushing to buy romantic tales of dashing heroes, ravishing beauties and happy outcomes.

Last week Shiv Sena, a right-wing Hindu nationalist party, called for a government investigation into the legality of romantic fiction.

“This kind of literature should be banned. It is against the cultural values of the country and is likely to have an unhealthy impact on the minds of teenagers,” said Vinod Bansal, a party spokesman.

Another Hindu party, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, also called for a ban, saying: “We don’t think these vulgar things should be allowed.”

India’s morality police may have underestimated the voracious appetite of Indian women for love stories. Spotting an opportunity, Harlequin Enterprises, the owner of Mills & Boon, set up an office in India last year. Sales of its £1.20 books have now more than doubled.

The publisher has commissioned its first Indian author, Milan Vohra, to write a novel that will contain steamy sexual scenes.

“I was a little worried about it, thinking: this is India, I have my family here and there will be so much media attention,” she said. “But I’m not going to let the pressure get to me. I think people are sensible enough to cope with it.”

The popularity of the genre is so strong that Random House India is to launch a rival entitled Kama Kahani. It claims to be the first romantic series tailored to Indian readers. Promotional material promises smouldering Rajput princesses and cruelly handsome zamindars (Mughal tax collectors).

Sociologists believe the explosion of risqué romantic fiction may herald an impending sexual revolution in India. “In the past even our fantasies were repressed,” said Shiv Vishwanathan, a sociology professor. “Now they are not and that makes a difference.”

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