Patil and Co do a jig after bar ban stay

Ganesh Kanate & Gouri Shah

MUMBAI: The Supreme Court’s stay on lifting the ban on dance bars has brought cheer to many.

“The apex court has stayed the HC order till the next hearing on July 17. But this is just a small reprieve and hearings are yet to begin. We, as a state, are confident that the court will give justice. We are not scared of anything because we are confident that our side is very strong,” said deputy chief minister and Home minister RR Patil.

Patil also said there were no differences among the Democratic Front partners. “Moreover, we had the support of all other political parties. Which is why we succeeded in getting the legislation passed unanimously,” he said.

The dance bar owners association and the Bar Girls Association are expectedly unhappy over the decision. Varsha Kale of Bar Girls’ Association said, “We are disappointed, but there is a ray of hope because the hearing has been fixed in July indicating that it would be on fast track.”

Manjit Singh Sethi, president of the bar owners body, said, “The state is passing this off as their victory. But that’s not the case. The SC has only extended this period by a month because of court holidays. We are disappointed but that’s okay. Also, the SC hasn’t taken any decision. Justice hasn’t been denied, it has only been delayed.”