Mumbai’s escorts under scrutiny

They advertise in newspapers and magazines across the city. They promise hassle-free interaction and short-term friendship. But what does Mumbai think about the escort agency business?
Speak Up finds out

The youth

A level of decency must be maintained
I don't think being an escort is a bad way of making money, especially for those in dire straits, financially. But it is very important to maintain a certain level of decency.

Escorts can be compared to prostitutes if they extend their services beyond a certain limit. Escorts are in demand, as many of them are beautiful and attract attention.

Escorts are generally hired by businessmen for high profile parties and meetings, as they want someone to accompany them on such occasions. I feel that they do not make a difference to society, and so should be legalised.
—Celia Dsouza, 22

A trend among the middle class
If an escort is glamourous and friendly enough, then a person wouldn't mind spending an evening with her.

I have generally seen high profile people hiring escorts for their business meetings, parties and, these days, even weddings. It is also becoming a trend among the middle class.

I do not care about escorts as they make no difference to my life. Escorts and prostitutes aren’t the same thing. In that case, how are escorts violating our traditions?

It provides an easy way to earn some money. It should be legalised because, as it is, people do whatever they want.
—Jerry Lukechacko, 23

It goes against tradition
Escorts are no more than expensive prostitutes, if they do not draw a line somewhere in their occupation. I don't understand the reason why people need to hire escorts.

I think people who hire escorts aren't smart enough to find a partner for themselves. Lack of commitment and dissatisfaction with one partner can also be a reason for this. 

These days life is quite fast-paced and people are exposed to stuff on the internet. They need a glamourous person with whom they can spend their leisure time.

I don't think this should be legalised, as it goes against Indian traditions.
—Isra Kairav, 29

It is not taboo in our society
I definitely think that the idea of hiring escorts goes against our traditions. But this is a very subjective matter, as it depends on an individual's freedom.

It is not only lower class girls, but also girls from good families who work as escorts. I don't think they regard it as something wrong.

There are always two ways of earning money: A fast way and a slow way. It depends on an individual’s need, and also on the character of that person.

It is legalised in many places abroad. I don't think escorts are taboo in our society, and so it can be legalised in India too, but some restrictions should always be maintained.
—Vishal Mehta, 24

The police

We see no reason to shut them down
As of now, we have received no complaints against escorts, or their agencies, operating in the city of Mumbai. Going by our legal code, being an escort does not constitute a crime.

People, like businessmen, hire escorts to accompany them to certain high-profile company functions and other important events. But, till now, we have no information regarding any other nefarious activities that have taken place.

Prostitution itself is legal in our city, however, if somebody apart from the sex worker is making a profit out of it, then it becomes illegal.

In this case, we will be called in to act.

We don't see any need, at this point, to shut down the city's escort agencies. In the future, however, if we receive complaints, we may have to take appropriate action against them.
— DN Jadhav. Commissioner of police, Mumbai

The lawyer

There should be some kind of regulation
Escorts are a status symbol in a metro like Mumbai, where life is too fast-paced and modern.

Over a period of years, many escort services have mushroomed in the city. Such services are usually offered by people who have no moral sense.

As of today, there is no law in India that can stop a girl/boy, above the age 18, from escorting/accompanying someone for a day or night for non-clandestine purposes.

However, there should be some kind of regulation about the acts the person offers to perform during that course of time. If it's only for friendship, then there is nothing wrong, but a line should be drawn as to what services these escorts offer.

Otherwise it would become difficult to distinguish between escorts and prostitutes.
I am glad that your newspaper is highlighting this issue and making people aware of it.
—Majeed Memom. Criminal lawyer

The psychologist

Loneliness drives people to escorts
People who look for short-term friendship and sign up for escort services are mentally insecure.

Different emotional issues make people escape from reality. They hire escorts because they want to live in a world of anonymity, for a while.

These people usually want to buy love and companionship, and the sense of belonging that comes with it. Today, loneliness is one of the biggest problems in our urban society.
A man may want to go out with a good-looking woman only to look happy and give the impression that he is with someone.

Many prefer hiring escorts because they can't deal with break-ups and some have a fear of commitment. Those are the main reasons why people choose to hire escorts.

But apart from that, there are various other reasons why escorts are popular in a city like Mumbai.
—Dr Anjali Chabaria. Psychologist

The ad controller

Offensive ads violate the law
The Advertising Council of India receives several complaints about objectionable ads. It brings these ads before the Consumer Complaints Council that upholds them.

Newspaper classifieds that carry invitations and indecent proposals are banned. It is the paper's responsibility to monitor the kind of ads it publishes. So it depends on the publisher's discretion.

Advertisements should not be offensive to generally accepted standards of public decency.

Advertisements should contain nothing indecent, vulgar or repulsive, which is likely — in the light of generally prevailing standards of decency and propriety — to cause grave or widespread offence.

People complain to us about lewd photographs of foreigners that appear in newspapers.
These ads are offensive and go against the code. Newspapers and periodicals that invite prostitution, carry sexual overtones, and indecently represent women are violating the law.
—Alan Collaco. Secretary general, Advertising Standards Council of India