The Maharashtra government has failed miserably, first in the Bombay high court and more recently in the Supreme Court, on the dance bar issue. However, that has not deterred state home minister RR Patil from working out an ordinance to shut down the bars. He spoke exclusively to dna on this issue at his bungalow Chitrakoot in Malabar Hill.
Excerpts:
Even after losing the case in the highest court of the land, you have not given up plans to close dance bars. Doesn’t this show the govt is not willing to accept the court’s verdict with grace?
It is true that we lost the case in the Supreme Court. It is unfortunate. We hold the courts in very high regard and we accept the recent verdict. The decision to issue an ordinance can in no way interpreted as a lack of respect to the court. I would like to point out that the apex court has not debarred us from banning these bars. In fact, it had noted that the government is trying to uphold the dignity of women etc. The problem is that there are several laws which govern these bars and some of them contradict each others. There are laws pertaining to the home, urban development, labour, health, excise departments. I have asked the advocate-general to study all these laws closely and draft an ordinance which will stand legal scrutiny.
When will the fresh ban come into force?
The entire process may take about a month after which we will issue the ordinance banning these bars. We are determined to shut these bars.
But aren’t these bars legal? The government issues them excise licence, police permission and several other permissions. Why do you issue these licences?
The new ordinance will take care of all these issues. We may not renew the licences once they expire.
Isn’t this moral policing?
We cannot remain silent spectators when the dignity of women is lowered in these bars where women are made to do all sorts of dirty things. Minors are exploited. Labour laws are flouted with impunity. There is prostitution going on in many of these bars. Also, corruption in the police force increases because of these bars.
Prostitution rackets are being conducted openly by escort services and massage parlours. Why is the govt not doing anything about these rackets?
It is not we are not acting against flesh trade in other areas. We do not discriminate at all. Our aim is to protect the dignity of women wherever they may be.
There are so many other pressing issues like law and order, but why is the govt bothering only about dance bars?
It is a matter of perception. The dance bar issue has received more publicity and hence you feel that we are concerned only about them. The home ministry is giving adequate importance to other issues as well.
Thousands would be rendered jobless if you shut down dance bars. Won’t this add to unemployment in Maharashtra?
All these talk of unemployment is nonsense. We had appealed to these girls to take benefit from our rehabilitation schemes. Not one of them approached us.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}