Speak up Mumbai: After Supreme Court's censure should dance bars start in the city again?

The Maharashtra government was hauled up by the Apex Court last week as it failed to abide by the court's order of reissuing licenses to dance bars which were shut down by Devendra Fadnavis three years back. The court held that reasons given by the government were only related to moral policing. The court in its orders held that the mentality of the society is changing. People now, are more open to the the idea of live-in relationships. In a lighter mood, the court also said, even filmmakers do not use chirping birds or flowers to show lovemaking or a kiss on screen. However, the State to decline allegations of a regressive mentality said, none of the bars were abiding by fire safety norms; they used the Kamala Mills fire incident as a bait.

QUICK FLASHBACK

Initial ban of Dance bars in Maharashtra was issued in 2005

Proper implementation of the ban on dance bars in Maharashtra occurred in 2016

Total 81 people pleaded to the Apex Court to re-issue their licences

Total number of women working in dance bars in 2005- more than 75,000

Total number of women women working in dance bars in 2016- merely 20,000

VOICES

In any case dance bars should not be there because it has ruined families. The Supreme Court is unnecessarily stretching the matter and trying to favour dance bar owners. Right of running dance bars cannot have precedence over citizens' right to live peacefully.
— Dhairyasheel Sutar, Resident of Kamothe

According to me, dance bars should not be opened again. There are advantages and disadvantages. While on one hand the bars create employment, on the other they attract girls and women from outside the city. Many come voluntarily but, many our forced to. People with black money visit these places, not family men. Also, these bars encourage crime and corruption.
— Siddharth Murarka, Resident of Goregaon

To those who don't visit, it wouldn't really make much difference whether dance bars are reopened or not. I personally feel the earlier stand of the State to ban dance bars was a good move. It only promotes liquor abuse and often we have come across cases of random nuisance. The city's night life wasn't affected when dance bars weren't functioning.
— Ravi Vyas, Resident of Bhayander

No, the government has done the right thing by banning dance bars. They are just another breeding ground for exploitation of women. They kindle crimes. In a country, where the rate of human trafficking is so high and safety of women is at stake, we have a long way to go before we can think of legalising these services.
— Bhumika Jadhav, Resident of Vile Parle

Dance bars should start now with all the required permits. Also the minimum distance and other things prescribed by the police should be followed. I have never been to one, because of the stigma attached to it. However, with the court ruling many people will want to visit it for the mere experience of it. Also it is a source of income for many, there are many dancers who will have a job for themselves. But basic precautions should be taken when it is starts.
— Bhushan Worlikar, Resident of Worli

I do not see any wrong in having dance bars. Every major city in the world has a night life. As long as money is not thrown on dancing girls, drug abuse is avoided, women are not exploited and there is no forced prostitution, I do not see a problem in it. If it is regulated, I do not see any harm. Dealings in black money should be curbed. I think the SC is on the right track. Regulation is the key.
— Anil Joseph, Resident of Bandra

With some restrictions, there is no problem in allowing dance bars in the city. It is only a mode of entertainment. But, the authority must ensure that such places do not become a den for goons to operate. It is also necessary to ensure that there is no flesh trade involved. The State needs to present the case before the Supreme Court in a proper way.
— Somesh Chowdhary, Andheri West

Believing that dance bars shouldn't be allowed in our society because they destroy families or are obscene in nature are not logical arguments. Men who choose to visit such bars and cross their limits destroy their families. I believe dancing isn't obscene and the ones who follow this as their profession have all the rights to earn money from it. I don't see any problem in dance bars starting once again in the city but having said that, the government should consistently monitor the occurences in bars to make sure that nothing illegal takes place.
— Suhas Chatkara, Resident of Andheri

EXPERT SPEAK

It is right on the government's end to ensure that the fire safety norms are adhered to and so it was the State's responsibility to put forth facts before the court. One can call it as moral policing, but it is essential. What if some unfortunate accident like Kamala mills gets repeated. Also the matter is not yet decided. Statements passed by the Supreme Court were made lightly and that too during the course of arguments. They were not remarks but, were picked up by media professionals.
— Advocate Nishant Katneshwarkar, Government lawyer in the dance bar case who moved the Supreme Court challenging Bombay High Court's orders

The State has clearly not abided by the court's orders and in a way have committed contempt of court. The State cannot use fire safety norms as a reason; and if so, then they should not allow them to function in the first place, but they are still functional. Governments can't interfere in the Right to Employment of an individual. By failing to follow court orders, it has deprived many women of their livelihood. The government has violated the right bestowed upon them by the Constitution under section 16, which classifies dance bars as the Right to Entertainment.
— Advocate Abha Singh, Resident of Worli