Moral

Are we turning into a society so intolerant that even the mere gesture of love in the public domain such as parks and ancient monuments gives us the ''license'' to indulge in violence?

Young couples sitting near the 14th century Jama Masjid at Ferozeshah Kotla in the Capital were roughed by Muslim activists for allegedly indulging in ''obscene acts''.

A young generation influenced by Bollywood romances has nowhere to go, given the lack of private space. These couples then become easy targets and face harassment by all and sundry.

While the ultimate responsibility lies on these youngsters to maintain social decorum, it also falls upon the society to understand that these not-so-private meetings are not aimed at offending the sensibilities of others.

They are merely stealing a few moments together.

Moreover, the very definition of an obscene act is subjective and shouldn't be held hostage by a few individuals.

Moral policing?

This is not the first time that youths have invited the wrath of the moral brigade.

In April this year, over 100 couples were booked by the police in Bandra for acts of vulgarity and obscenity after a passersby raised an objection.

Saffron protestors attacked the office of a prominent news channel for airing the grievance of a 23-year-old Muslim boy and a 16-year-old Hindu girl. The couple from Surat had approached the channel for support after eloping, claiming they were facing stiff opposition from their parents. An internal family matter became a subject of national concern.

Even Shiv Sainiks have decried the impact of Valentine's Day on Indian culture, staging demonstrations at this alleged ''vulgar'' symbol of western influence.

This is a strange paradox in a country, which claims to be liberal and democratic and yet questions the very concept of individual freedom.

These incidents of moral policing make newspaper headlines, while larger societal issues often go unreported. Why doesn't the so-called moral brigade take up cudgels over incidents of female foeticide or dowry deaths?

The already overwrought police force should also not be allowed to digress from its role of enforcing law and order in the city. ''Moral policing'' should be left to the individuals in question and not the society at large.

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