ANTI ROMEO SQUAD # U.P

Anti Rameo Squad Morph in to Moral Policing

My warm wishes to all my readers.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. Yogi Adityanath, on 22 March 2017 just after two days of its oath full filled one of its most polarising promise i.e establishments of Anti Romeo Squads in order to control eve teasing. What a positive approach respected CM have and it is really appreciable. These  anti romeo squads come in function with immediate effect and results in to 800 arrests in to Six district. But the question of concerned as a lawyer for me is whether it is really a control on eve teasing or is it moral policing.  There exist every thin line between crime control and moral policing and which seems to be blurred in this  particular instance.

As per the news papers and news channel head line police is raiding in cafeterias, Hotels, Cafes, parks and all other places. Asking couples moving on roads to get separated and in mostly cases they are arresting boys who are moving or sitting with some girl. Before getting in to issue as a lawyer lets us understand the two basic terms and then we will try to find out the dividing line of both.

Firstly what amount to eve teasing ?Eve teasing is a euphemism used for molestation or harassment of a women in public place. Commonly known as street harassment. Word “Eve” is alluded  from the name of very first women on earth as per Bible and word teasing mean disrespecting  such a godly women. So we can very well understand eve teasing is both moral and legal offence rather I will say crime.

On the other hand Moral Policing is a blanket used by some particular vigilant group which act enforce moral code of conduct to other people because they consider that particular act against the morality of the Indian culture. So we can also say that moral policing is also illegal as it tries ti infringe the fundamental rights of all citizens in India.

Known coming back to the present discussion  we will find that police is enquiring each and every couple who is travelling or sitting together is that amount to check on eve teasing, surely not; I think Uttar Pradesh police really do not know the meaning of eve teasing. When someone is travelling with his /her  colleague or fellow friend than its nowhere amounts to eve teasing and you have no right to question me and my fellow person status. As it is the matter of right to privacy and you can not interfere in my right of privacy without any reasonable restrictions. Being a lawyer I will not only impose my views on this I will try to find out the  the answer of some question through our constitution. I will be discussing all questions one by one.

1)      Being a major is it illegal to stay in hotel in India and can police raid on such person without reason?

Instead of giving my personal opinion let me show you the word of law, as written in our Constitution:

Art 15(2)(a) (read as Article 15,Sub-section 2,Clause a): No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them, be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to (a) access to shops, public restaurants, hotels and places of public entertainment.

Art 19(1)(d) and Art 19(1)(e)  (1) All citizens shall have the right—

 (d) to move freely throughout the territory of India; (e) to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India.

Art 21: No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. And more over supreme court in many judgment recognized live in relationship so when two unmarried people staying in hotel it is not a offence unless they are not doing some thing else illegal and consistent raiding in hotels and harassing such couples is not control on eve teasing rather it is a moral policing and have to be stopped immediately. (Khushboo v. Kanniammal s.c)

2)      Can police stop couples travelling together or sitting in park or cafeteria ?

 Uttar Pradesh police says that they are continuously visiting coffee shops and parks and having check on couple sitting there. So tell me which coffee shop in Uttar Pradesh will allow a haggler to sit in to its arena, I think no one and it’s the place where two people sit with their consent and when they are sitting with their mutual consent than where the question of eve teasing arise. Are taking nation towards self proclaimed democracy. All fundamental rights are subject to state will, are we living is state to tyranny.

Police have to understand that respected CM of Uttar Pradesh has ordered to check on eve teasing and your duty is to check hagglers and not unnecessarily   interfering in to personal liberty of other. If you keep on doing than it will going to have a very negative impact on the youth. Brothers and sister will start fearing to move freely. Your aim is to make you more safer rather than creating a state of fear in all girls and boys. Youth should feel secure in your presence rather than feeling insecure. Its the high time to draw the clear line of division between eve teasing and moral policing.