What is indecent behaviour is subjective, say young Mumbaiites
Vedang Dongre, 23, is now wary of dancing at nightclubs. "It is difficult to comprehend what the city police label as indecent behaviour," said the restaurant owner referring to the raid at the Oro lounge in Malad on Sunday, where at least 31 youngsters were booked and fined.
Vedang Dongre, 23, is now wary of dancing at nightclubs.
"It is difficult to comprehend what the city police label as indecent behaviour," said the restaurant owner referring to the raid at the Oro lounge in Malad on Sunday, where at least 31 youngsters were booked and fined.
The incident has started a debate on what should be considered indecent behaviour.
"People dancing intimately might look indecent to some people while it might be completely normal to others. It is quite subjective. Booking and fining someone for it is a bit extreme," said Dongre, a Juhu resident.
Like Dongre, Rushda Khan, 21, a student of St Xavier's College, said she does not understand why the police find people getting cosy in a club "indecent".
"The police should monitor drunken brawls and illegal activities," she said.
Gronil Jain, 21, an aspiring management student, agrees.
"People appreciate dance forms like salsa and jive which involve physical contact. So why is dancing in a club considered indecent?"
Shivang Shah, 22, has a different take on the issue. He believes people should be able to judge for themselves as to what is 'indecent' and 'decent'.
"There is a code of conduct for public places such as lounges and clubs and that conduct must be followed by all guests. The police do not need to get involved in something that adults can handle themselves," said Shah, a Lokhandwala-based businessman.
DJ Jenny D, who was at the lounge during the incident and has started a Facebook protest group, said: "I was present when the police gave the women at the lounge a lecture about how they should not be at clubs. I do not understand why women cannot dance and enjoy themselves like men at a club."