Amidst growing protest against ‘Kiss of love’, an event to protest against moral policing, the Bengaluru police denied permission to the event which is supposed to take place on November 30. According to Bengaluru police, the event would lead to obscene acts barred under law. Not just the right wing parties but even the ruling Congress has vehemently opposed the ‘Kiss of love’ which according to them will bring opprobrium.
In Press conference in Bengaluru on Tuesday, City Police Commissioner MN Reddi said they have denied permission to the ‘Kiss of love’ event. He said, “We have come to the conclusion that if we permit this particular programme, it will lead to kissing in public and other such obscene acts defined under Section 294 of the IPC. In keeping with the responsibility that rests upon us as per the Karnataka Police Act we have decided to deny the applicant the permission to hold any such programme.”
According to MN Reddi, Section 294 of the IPC bars any obscene act in public places, and prevention of any cognisable offence under IPC or any other law imposed is the fundamental responsibility of the State police under the Karnataka Police Act.
“We have examined the application very carefully as there is a background to this programme called Kiss of love....;” Reddi said, adding there was the absence of any clear programme laid out by the individual who has applied (for permission).
Several leaders from the ruling Congress, the BJP and other parties were on the same page giving thumbs down to the event, saying moral policing should be fought in a different way and not through public display of acts which could be obscene.
Home Minister KJ George had said earlier, “Obscenity in the name of protests will not be tolerated” but protesters were free to hold demonstrations within the constitutional framework.
Karnataka State Women’s Commission chairperson Manjula Manasa had asked the Home Department not to permit the “uncivilised” event.
The ‘Kiss of love’ campaign in Bengaluru was opposed by several right wing organisations. More radical organisations like Sri Rama Sene of Pramod Muthalik had threatened to disrupt the campaign.
In another development, the Bengaluru police has arrested six persons for allegedly stalking and harassing five women sitting in a car at MG Road in the heart of city within two days after the incident which was caught on camera. Three of the arrested were residents of the city and the other three from Hosur in Tamil Nadu. Bengaluru Police Commissioner MN Reddi said, “It is learnt that these individuals had come to MG Road casually, but they indulged in stalking these women, going closer to the car and even attempting to force open the door that resulted in panic and fear among the women.”
“We are yet to look into the criminal background of these individuals, but they have confessed to what they have done,” he said. Reddi said the accused had been identified based on the available evidence provided by the complainant.