"I want to request the government to call us and have a dialogue with us before it formulates another new policy or rule to restrain opening of dance bars," said Adarsh B Shetty, president, AHAR.
Minutes after the apex court lifted the ban on dance bars, the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) said it is open to having a dialogue with the government on working out preventive measures to overcome the latter's apprehensions about the damage these bars may cause to the society.
"I want to request the government to call us and have a dialogue with us before it formulates another new policy or rule to restrain opening of dance bars," said Adarsh B Shetty, president, AHAR.
Shetty said once the bars reopen, the association is willing to extend all possible help to the government to keep a check on any illegal activity that may take place in the bars. "They are open to raiding the bars and take action against those where illegal activities are taking place. However, you can't put a blanket ban on everyone if one or two people are indulging in wrongful acts," he added.
Contrary to the AHAR view, Vijay Satbir Singh, additional secretary (home), maintained that reopening of bars will lead to exploitation of women and, for that, the government will continue to fight against it in court.
"This is just an interim order, we will examine it in detail and take the necessary steps. However, the government is committed to preventing reopening of bars as we strongly feel that our move is intended towards preventing exploitation of women and stop dances that are obscene, vulgar or immoral, and hence derogatory to their dignity," said Singh. The secretary added that the government is hopeful of defending itself in court before the final verdict is announced on November 5.
Meanwhile, the association alleged that government was callous in its approach in the Supreme Court and took repeated adjournments to file the affidavit. "For the last three dates, the case had to be adjourned because the government sought more time to prepare its affidavit," said Shetty.
What happens next
AHAR to review the SC order and approach the government for fresh licences.
If the government does not get any relief and is forced to issue licences, the process may take several days or even months.
Section 33 A of the Maharashtra Police Act that the SC stayed is...
a) Holding a performance of dance, of any kind or type, in an eating house, permit room or beer bar is prohibited.
b) Performance licences issued, if any, by the commissioner of police or district magistrate, to hold a dance performance, of any kind or type, in an eating house, permit room or beer bar, shall stand cancelled.
c) Any person/s who hold or cause or permit holding of a dance performance of any kind or type in an eating house, bar etc, shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term that may extend to three years with a fine extending up to Rs5 lakh.
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