Bengaluru: The Bengaluru city police have finally denied permission for controversial ‘Kiss of Love’, a protest to condemn moral policing, on the grounds that it promotes obscenity.
City Police Commissioner M.N. Reddi, during a press conference, said that the decision to deny permission was taken as the event had resulted in serious law and order problems in Kochi and New Delhi.
He said Rachitha Taneja, one of the organisers, had submitted a petition before the DCP (Central) seeking permission to hold the event on November 30.
The police wanted to ascertain the number of people participating in the event. Taneja said the organisers were not aware of the number of participants and refused to owe responsibility for any untoward incident during the event.
The police collected information from a neighbouring state where a similar event was organised and realised that such an event in a public place promotes obscenity. So permission was refused, said the commissioner.
Mr Reddi said: “The organisers of Kiss of Love event failed to furnish crucial details sought by the Bengaluru Police. Moreover, they refused to owe responsibility for any untoward incident during the event. Hence, the police refused permission.”
The commissioner clarified that permission was refused under Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code (obscene acts and songs) and provisions under the Karnataka Police Act 65.
The aim and objective of the event remained unknown. After much deliberations and considering the pros and cons, the police decided to refuse permission, Reddi added. As the number of people supporting the event went up by the day, so did those opposing it.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sandeep Patil said that whoever violates the police decision would be dealt with seriously.
However, an organiser of the New Delhi event alleged, “The police behaved as though they were taking the side of the protestors. We were there only to kiss. Clearly, we could not be responsible for law and order problems.”
The event was mired in controversy due to opposition from politicians cutting across party lines and also Karnataka State Women’s Commission Chairperson Manjula Manasa.