Sena to play moral cop again

The Shiv Sena has warned of “action” against pubs, hotels and youths who indulge in drugs or what the party deems to be obscene during New Year celebrations, reports Rajendra Aklekar.

The Shiv Sena has warned of “action” against pubs, hotels and youths who indulge in drugs or what the party deems to be obscene during New Year celebrations.

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On Monday, the party distributed a letter to bars in the western suburbs, warning of “Sena-style” action.

“We have formed flying squads of Sainiks, who will keep an eye on all activities. The moment we find pubs allowing clients to indulge in drugs, snakebite [a potent cocktail] and obscenity, we will take action,” said Jitendra Janawale, Sena leader from Andheri.

So far, the Sena letter has reached 21 hotels and 12 pubs in Juhu.

“Since Juhu is the hotbed of such activities, our boys from Vile Parle will monitor the area. During festivities, drug sellers openly tempt the youth,” said another Sainik.

The Sena has been involved in protests, pickets and shutdowns like this before. Its activists have regularly attacked shops selling gifts on Valentine’s Day. This was part of the Sena’s campaign against “vulgar western influences”.

When asked why the Sena was resorting to moral policing, Janawale said: “The pub culture that has permeated society is responsible for the increasing incidents of molestation. Someone has to come forward to protect society.”

When asked about the Shiv Sena threat, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Himanshu Roy said: “I will not comment on what political parties have to say. But the power to deal with any trouble is vested with the police alone. Any interference in the police function will be dealt with sternly.”