Nightlife policing invites flak

Nightlife policing invites flak
Bangalore, DHNS:
Close to a thousand people from the entire gamut of the theatre and art fraternity came together to protest moral policing in a campaign Bengaluru Bleeding here on a bright Sunday afternoon and demanded that the city be allowed to have a vibrant nightlife.


From the who’s who among writers and literary personalities to film artists, stage performers and DJs converged at the Gandhi Park on M G Road to demand a halt to cultural fascism as they put it.

Addressing the protesters Girish Karnad, termed the decision to ban consumption of alcohol in the pubs and bars after 11 pm was an appropriate step. “But, the decision to ban music lacks logic. The decision is likely to affect the artistes adversely.The City police instead of being after criminals are after artistes and musicians” he expressed concern.

“Cops have decided to ban the music just to skip their responsibilities.They are lazy. Banning playing of music would never end the possibility of criminal activities taking place. Cultural policing will not reduce rapes and murders. It is an escapist strategy on part of the law enforcement machinery” said Vijay Sai, a participant. Vivek Madan, a theatre person said, “A general blanket ban on stopping music and culture and is not going to help anyone. We have come together to show solidarity with our fraternity. Why should artists be prevented from performing.” He added the government must not impose a cultural curfew on Bengaluru and realise that nightlife is not confined to just bars and pubs but went beyond the narrow definition of the police.

Fashion Guru Prasad Biddappa requested Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to reconsider the decision. “Some people who work in evening shifts require music to refresh themselves. Bangalore is an international city and needs international standards. Banning the music would tarnish the image of the City. The issue of banning the consumption of alcohol after 11 pm should be handled sensibly. The artistes will loose opportunities to showcase their talent,” he averred.

Arun, one of the organisers said while they respect law, it’s time the government and police took a relook into the archaic laws. He added, “Most of the laws being cited were framed aeons ago. It is being forced on Bangalore. We have moved on from being a small town to a global village today. A good and healthy nightlife should be encouraged. The cops seem to be going only by the rulebook. The police cannot come in the way of people having a good leisure time.You should not expect people to go to bed at 11.30 pm.”

Artistes Suma and Deepti Sudhindra, L Subramaniam, Manoviraj Khosla, Rohit Barker, D J Ivan, Galeej Gurus were among those who participated in the protest.