Google and Facebook removed content from some Indian domain websites on Monday following a court directive warning them of a crackdown if they did not take steps to protect religious sensibilities.

A law passed in India makes companies responsible for user content posted on their web sites, and gives them 36 hours to take down content if there's a complaint.

Google and Facebook are among the 21 companies asked to develop a mechanism to block objectionable material after a private petitioner took them to court over images deemed offensive to Hindus, Muslims and Christians.

Google, Facebook, Yahoo! and Microsoft have all appealed in the Delhi High Court against a criminal case successfully brought by the Hindu petitioner.

Despite the new rules to block offensive content, India's Internet access is still largely uncensored, in contrast to the tight controls in neighboring China.