DNA Edit: Moral obligation – Maha govt’s reluctance to reopen dance bars is evident

The Supreme Court has castigated the Maharashtra government because despite the apex court order paving the way for dance bars to resume operations, not one such establishment has come up in the state. The SC believes that the government is opposing its order on moral grounds. If the Maharashtra government believes it can play the moral guardian of the citizens then it is utterly mistaken. A ban is almost always counter-productive because it fails to understand human psychology. When something is banned, it stokes unhealthy interest primarily because it has suddenly become illegal and out of bounds. The toddy ban in Kerala and the liquor ban in Bihar are classic instances of how human beings will invariably find ways and means to do what they desire, even if such actions attract stringent punishment. 

Even after the SC order, it was amply clear that the state government will leave no stone unturned in preventing dance bars from setting up shops. Three years ago Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had declared that his administration was not in favour of reopening dance bars. The government had gone to the extent of framing a new set of rules for these establishments. In fact, it made the regulations so stringent that owners found it impossible to operate under such conditions. Cut to 2018, and the advocates appearing on behalf of the state at SC argued that all the 81 applicants who sought licences didn’t have clearances from the fire department. They mentioned the big fire of December 28-29, 2017, when in reality it was nothing but an excuse to further delay the process. 

The government’s ban was inspired by humanitarian reasons. People thronging dance bars were throwing away hard-earned money meant for their families, and their children’s education. It is said many families were ruined because men abdicated their responsibilities to indulge their vices. In all fairness, the government is misleading the court.