Bengaluru will party on

Bengaluru will party on


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The police and self-styled moral cops have clamped down on the city’s night life, forcing people to look for new venues outside the city to party. While Bengalureans appear to have little choice, this has led to an increase in accidents on highways due to driving under the influence of alcohol and left the rural police stretched, report Sanchita Sen and Akanksha Mehrotra

Bengaluru, March 10: Bengalureans are beginning to feel claustrophobic as the police is tightening its grip on their avenues for entertainment and partying.
Having resigned themselves to the early deadline of 11 pm for closure of all pubs and restaurants in the city, many make their way to farmhouses on the outskirts to enjoy a few laughs and drinks at private parties.

But they find there are curbs here too as the long arm of the law is starting to interfere in these parties as well.

“Nobody should have a problem with a party being held in a private venue on the outskirts of the city, particularly if the neighbours are not being disturbed. No party can be complete without hard drinks, but that should not be considered a crime as they are being consumed by adults who have got together for a relaxing evening where no one is out to harm anyone,” says Chetan Shukla, a software engineer who has been to several weekend parties at farmhouses.

Private parties have become all the more popular after the attack in January on a Mangalore pub by a saffron outfit and recent incidents of violence against women in Bengaluru, in the name of protecting Indian culture from foreign influences.

“One now feels more secure to party at private farmhouses rather than at pubs because they have become vulnerable to attacks by radicals who call themselves moral police,” says Sheena Mishra, an advertising professional and a regular partygoer.

Many of those who own farmhouses are using them to invite friends over and have a party occasionally.

“I have allowed my nephew’s friends to party at my farmhouse. My only condition is that they must keep the place clean. I have never taken any money from them,” says a Pune industrialist who has a farmhouse near Doddaballapur. Some farmhouses are rented for parties.

“I feel we are lucky to have them as venues because they provide a nice location away from the city.

Since these are private parties hosted without causing any public nuisance, why should the authorities have a problem with them?” reasons Sharan Chauhan, a business development manager.