Avinash Kumar
Yes, It is a despicable act...though not a first time. A political angle can not be ruled out delaying the action on the miscreants. One wrong(some may challenge it logically) should not be corrected by another wrong. When we all condemn the way moral correction had/has been thrusted, none had condemn that drinking(ofcourse i do not mean water or softdrinks or non fermented fruit-juices here) in bar(or anywhere) is sincerely not in favour of health. Again an unilteral response against an incident. Regards, Avinash. shivani bhardwaj How can we hold state and religious leaders accountable for this terrorism act against women? Shivani Bhardwaj Sathi all for partnerships 81 Pratap Nagar, Lane 6 Mayur Clinic I Floor, Mayur Vihar Phase I New Delhi 1100091 India www.sathiallforpartnerships.org moinak banerjee Moral policing by physical actions or words should not be encouraged. However, any immoral activity in public places should be viewed, enjoyed (as in movies), videographed and mailed to respective parents and media for further reactions. Does the constitution defines what is moral and immoral. Our Health minister defines cigaratte smoking in public places raises health hazard and therefore should be banned. Is immoral activities in public a health hazard or a behavioral disorder. Arnab Sen Yes, this reminds us that we have a dark underbelly which we need to do something about. Punishment of the culprits is important but may not prevent such things from happening again. Arnab Sen Flat # 1024 Sector C Pocket 1 Vasant Kunj New Delhi 110070 INDIA sri venkat 29 Jan 2009, 0012 hrs IST, P J Joychen, TNN JAIPUR: Sri Ram Sena may have found an unlikely ally in Congress's Ashok Gehlot. If members of the right-wing outfit thought it fit to bash up girls and boys at a pub in Mangalore, the Rajasthan chief minister's stand was to condemn pub culture as a whole. Gehlot is determined to reverse his BJP predecessor Vasundhara Raje's "liberal'' policy of allowing pubs to mushroom and booze shops to remain open until 11pm in the tourist state. Gehlot also wants to take the moral axe to PDA (public display of affection). Talking to newsmen at the PCC office on the sidelines of a meeting of party leaders, the chief minister said, "An onlooker may enjoy watching young boys and girls moving around arm-in-arm but it is not the culture of Rajasthan.'' Though it was not clear what steps Gehlot might take to keep lovers from locking arms a crusade one associates more with Shiv Sena goons who routinely vandalize card shops and go on the rampage on Valentine's Day there appears to be a clear possibility of increased moral policing in the state that has so far projected a friendly face and managed to attract a record number of western tourists. ``The excise policy of the BJP government, which was based on the premise of promoting pub culture and wine culture, is being thoroughly reviewed and reversed,'' Gehlot said. He added that the Raje government had plans to set up beer bars in shopping malls and shopping centres which would have had a bad influence on the younger generation. ``They (read Raje) had plans to open beer bars in shopping malls which would have given some kind of legitimacy and social acceptability to the liquor culture in society,'' he said. The government will now tweak the excise policy keeping in mind social concerns, the chief minister added. He said liquor companies had been competing with each other to put up flashy signboards to attract the young and unabashedly promoting a lifestyle encouraging booze, which the new regime would not tolerate. In his spirited battle against booze, the Gehlot government has already announced a higher VAT on liquor and beer. ``Besides, we will bring down the number of liquor shops to around 1,000. We have closed down over 960 shops, including those near religious places and schools,'' Gehlot said. The government has also reduced the timing of liquor shops by four hours. Shops now close at 8pm. It will also use public notice boards to spread the message about the ill-effects of alcohol.
