mAvErIck spEAks

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Love gets costlier



In Delhi the fine for kissing in public has gotten to a soaring 500 bucks from mere 50. Now this once again brings the topic to fore which has been one of the most debated in the recent times. Can we have a moral police? Or more relevant, Do we need a moral police?

Somebody around me just rubbished the idea of implementing a fine on couples kissing in the public. He blatantly told me that it’s none of anyone’s business to be bothered by a couple smooching in the park, in general at a public place. He believes that the constitution of this country gives everyone a right to express oneself (read freedom to express one’s love) and no one can deny anyone this right. I humbly told him that this perhaps may prove helpful in saving families from embarrassment who become reluctant spectators to the love laced rendezvous of these neo liberals. My friend retorted, “Haven’t families kissed”. This was awful but I answered composedly, yes of course they did but in the confines of the four walls. Though I failed miserably to make him listen to me but I could get him say that he would never kiss in the park.


But the question is still unanswered. Do we need a moral police? Why would we want to play a spoil sport to these couples and interrupt in their love games?

Of course one reason possibly and suitably can be saving families from unnecessary embarrassment but that’s about it. Many of us may claim that this is just one stunt orchestrated by the authorities to deviate our attention from the real situations and problems. Some would say that its one new way to harass poor commoner and extract greater money from him. Some may even say that in a way the Talibanisation of the Indian society is tip-towing.

All this may sound correct but there is something we are missing, that parks, public places in general, were never meant to be places to indulge in carnal acts. Instead they were places to organize meetings, to take a walk, to hold a public function, to act as a platform for a decent gathering, to act as a playground for tots. So if we are changing the fundamental identity of these public places and converting them into corridors towards Red Light Areas, shouldn’t we be ready to expect the worst; many eyes staring at us, making a show out of our love and expecting us to perform more.