By Apurba Dasgupta
Amid the “vibrant Dance of Democracy” noticeable in different forms in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, a premonition of a ‘tussle’ between the judiciary and the administration seems imminent with the Supreme Court ruling favouring revival of dance bars in Mumbai and the Maharashtra government planning to bring in an ordinance to make it difficult for dance bars to stage a comeback.
According to Mantralaya reports, the Devendra Fadnavis government is likely to bring in the ordinance this week and is also considering adding more stringent rules to the existing Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms…. Act, 2016.
The Apex Court on the third week of this month quashed some of the rules under the act.
The reports hinted that the state government might replace these with other stringent rules and might even add fresh rules to make the Act stricter.
Officials said the top court asked the government to define “good character” (of bar dancers and establishment owners) and also finalise the distance from religious and educational institutions at which the bars could be allowed.
Sources said both points can be framed in such a way that they become roadblocks in the way of the dance bars opening again. “For example, if we decide that there should not be a dance bar within 500 metres of any temple, there is no way a bar can start in Mumbai,’ said an official.
Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar observed, “We have asked the law and judiciary department to scrutinise the Supreme Court’s verdict. We will bring in an ordinance to bring in amendments to the existing law to make it stricter. We are trying to bring in the ordinance by the first week of February.”
“The government will not tolerate any action which lowers the dignity of women,” Mr Mungantiwar maintained.
Officials from the home department said there are 39 rules under the Act and petitioners had challenged nine of them, of which the SC fully quashed only two points – installation of CCTV within premises and non – serving of alcohol in dance areas.
And, they added “there are just two points that the SC order has modified (on how dancers can be tipped and a point of licence to either dance bar or orchestra). (UNI)
