Each time Valentine’s Day comes around in India, we have self proclaimed upholders of public morality (usually miscreants, overzealous law enforcement officials and members of militant political groups) shaming or beating up couples, vandalizing stores and indulging in other such acts of violence to ‘protect’ aforementioned ‘morality’; making headlines to lesser or larger extent. This time the moral policing made headlines for slightly different, more welcome reasons.
A few days after Valentine’s Day, two female constables of the Kerala police force accosted a couple, questioned and fined them on charges of public nuisance. The couple was accused of "vulgar actions in public space" when it was revealed that they were not married; only engaged. The couple protested that they only had their arms on each other’s shoulders; they weren’t even hugging or kissing. The ensuing argument between the constables and the affianced couple was filmed, posted on Facebook (going viral) and then got into the headlines.
The state’s police chief has gone on record to say that he wishes the incident had not happened. He clarified that PDA (public display of affection) may be frowned upon by society; but it is definitely not illegal. According to reports, top cop Loknath Behara has ordered an inquiry and has said that “no one has the right to disturb or harass any couple anywhere, more so in public spaces.”
In another incident, a couple from Kollam district was accosted, threatened and their video was captured for sitting in a secluded spot. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan spoke out against the increasing instances of moral policing and described the so called moral police as ‘criminals’ because of their actions, threatening behavior, abusive language and the fact that videos of the couple circulated on social media in a clear violation of their privacy.
Charged with the assistance of women, children and seniors, the state's Pink Police is also seen to turn moral police on occasions. Here a female constable is seen to be ‘advising’ a young couple. Interestingly, a publication Janmabhoomi captioned the picture as follows: “On lover's day, a civil police officer from Pink Police in Chadiyath, Ernakulam advising a couple about the evil-effects of love"…” evil-effects of love”? Really?
Rather than seeking out canoodling couples (who usually take pains to remain private and out of sight), go after the public urinators – they are truly obscene. They stink up a place, make it filthy and disgusting, act as a shield for perverts exposing themselves and encourage others with overactive bladders and no self control to further dirty and stink up the place.
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