- There’s something wrong with the way certain sections of society go about attempting to inculcate morality based on anachronistic perceptions even though the country has advanced tremendously over the last couple of decades. It’s a matter of pride that we stand as the fifth largest economy in the world aiming to break into the top three in the next few years. While we pride ourselves on our achievements on the economic front, some of the deeply entrenched belief systems continue to rule the roost despite efforts to move keeping in line with the changing times. Patriarchy and misogyny haven’t undergone much change either, bringing to the fore women’s travails. Women continue to be treated as second-class citizens despite progression is an indisputable fact.
PC: The Leaflet
- The Indian Constitution is considered sacrosanct for citizens what with the mandated rights governing our dignified existence. Ideally speaking, the choice to lead the life is the prerogative of an individual well within the purview of the existing rights as mandated. What an individual eats, dresses, or does well within the confines of the four walls cannot be judged by authorities or moral police brigade to intrude and enforce outdated viewpoints. As recent newspaper reports suggest, disallowing unmarried couples to book a hotel room tells us something ugly about our society in no uncertain terms. Our fundamental rights are individual rights. They do not come down to us via tradition, identity, or community. Why is this simple fact conveniently ignored?
PC: Corruption watch
- It is the freedom and equality of every single citizen that is affirmed by the Constitution. It is this core constitutionalism that is subverted by a hotel chain’s new check-in policy, shutting out its services to unmarried couples, starting with Meerut. The budget hospitality company has justified this change by saying that it’s listening to the law enforcement and civil society groups in the micro markets. Translation: consenting adults have been thrown to the moral policing wolves. Simple. Yes, cops are often seen terrorizing couples be it in parks or by the beaches, at the movies, or in hotels. Of course, India has no shortage of civil society groups, be it Khap panchayats or anti-Romeo squads, or just the neighbourhood Uncle/Aunty gangs, that think they have a right to tell everyone else how to live their life. They don’t.
PC: NDTV
- Nor do the cops have a right to chase away a peaceful canoodling couple with danda and screams. Their fond phrase indecent behaviour in public needs to be retired for good. It allows for a lot of meddling, abuse, and hypocrisies. Mind you, sex is as basic a part of the human life cycle as breath. Sure, people can choose not to have it. But this is an uncommon choice. Some of those defending the hotel chain’s policy change are saying it’s intended to curb prostitution. But like mob judgments, collective punishments are inherently wrongful, legally and ethically. Where there is crime, curb it. Don’t go othering and scarlet-lettering consenting adults en masse. That’s a terrible infringement of their privacy and rights. Free choice must prevail.
