The Mangaluru Police has issued a notice to restaurants, clubs and bars hosting New Year’s parties on 31 December, asking them to close at midnight. A press release issued by the police states that “in the name of cultural events, obscene dances, including naked and semi-naked dances, will not be allowed”.
It also warns of stringent action against those who misbehave with women and children. The notice adds that restaurants and outlets planning to sell or serve alcohol after the permitted time should notify the Excise Department.
All establishments hosting parties should notify the police commissioner about the event by 31 December.
"Few bars are allowed to be open till 11:30 pm. Those who want to extend it to 12 am can write to the Excise Department, but no party will go on beyond 12,” said TR Suresh, the Mangaluru Police Commissioner. "Indecent dancing will not be allowed in any bars," he added.
Additionally, it warns people from staying out on the roads at night and states that stringent action will be taken against those who are found loitering outside.
Special teams will be in place to check negligent driving, drunken driving, and arrest those misbehaving in public places during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Sunil KS, part of The Last Stop, a bar in Forum Mall, corroborated the police's statements. "We have been notified that we can extend closing time to 12 on 31 December if we write to the Excise Department and get permission.”
The police notification follows a petition submitted by Dakshina Kannada Bajrang Dal President, Sharan Pumpwell, seeking a ban on DJ nights, dancing in pubs and also to impose a curfew for bars in the city.
“In the name of New Year’s, there is explicit dancing in DJ parties and alcohol is being served at several hotels, pubs and public places, which are conducting these parties. I am bringing this to your notice. These parties are derived from western culture. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajarang Dal are strongly opposed to it. Already, in the name of love jihad, innocent girls are being cheated. The girls are being trapped into taking part in these programs,” Sharan’s petition reads.
The petition goes on to say that youths in Kerala and Dakshina Kannada district have indulged in “love jihad” and that the “drugs and sex mafia” will take advantage of the parties.
Dev* (name changed), a student at Nitte Institute of Communication (NICO) in the city said that the restrictions would not stop him and his friends from making plans for New Year’s Eve.
“I find the connection between love jihad and partying in pubs to be illogical. There are several places in Mangalore where you can party on New Year’s Eve and I hope the Bajrang Dal do not create extra trouble on the night,” he said.
(This article was published in arrangement with The News Minute.)
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