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Dance bar ban: Maharashtra government to seek Opposition's help

While BJP is banking on the fact that all parties are united on the issue, NCP has pledged its support to the party

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The issue will be discussed in the state cabinet meeting next week
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Following oppositions and public outrage over the decision of reopening dance bars in the state, the BJP-led government has decided to take the Oppositions along while making any further amendment in the dance bar law. The step, the leaders hope, will prevent the party from being cornered.

Senior BJP leader and finance and planning minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that the state government is firm on its stand that dance bars could not be allowed to operate. "We are legally scrutinising the SC verdict. The issue will be discussed in the state cabinet meeting next week, where a unanimous decision will be taken. If a new clause needs to be introduced, we will come up with an ordinance, make changes and strengthen the existing law," he said.

After the Supreme Court's verdict, the Oppositions slammed the BJP-led government for presenting a "weak side" before the SC.

Defending the party in face of allegations, an official from the home department on the condition of anonymity said, "Most of the provisions in the law has been upheld by the apex court. However, the apex court had given a few suggestions that will be implemented by modifying the law which will be approved in the cabinet meeting and subsequently in the upcoming state assembly session. The guidelines of this law are so deterrent that no one can follow them up in totality making it impossible to reopen a dance bar."

BJP is banking on the fact that all parties were united on the issue. "We'll seek help from opposition parties. We are already in talks with a few leaders of opposition on the same," said a senior BJP minister on the condition of anonymity.

Though Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders have put the entire blame on BJP alone, they are willing to support the government in its mission.

"Dance bars have spoiled an entire generation a few years ago. In 2005, R R Patil had brought in the law banning dance bars to save the young generation. Since then our stand is clear. If BJP is really serious about the banning dance bars, we will surely extend our support, " Nawab Malik, NCP spokesperson said.

SC'S VERDICT

  • On Thursday, the SC eased a slew of restrictions that the state government had put on dance bars 
     
  • It did away with the requirement of CCTV in such bars, holding it to be a violation of privacy 
     
  • It also said there was no need to segregate dancing areas from where drinks would be served 
     
  • It restricted working hours of the bars, which will be functional from 6 pm to 11.30 pm
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