Better to dance for a living than to beg. SC pulls up Maharashtra govt on dance bars

The Supreme Court on 25 April pulled up the Maharashtra government for framing rules that prohibit the opening of dance bars within a one-kilometer distance from educational institutions.

"It is better to dance than to go to streets for begging or earning a livelihood through unacceptable means," the SC said.

The apex court said that this condition of the state government amounts to 'prohibition'.

"Dance is professional, if it obscene then it loses its legal sanctity. Therefore, the government's measures can't be prohibitory," the court told the state government.

The Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government told the court that the rule would be revised.

The Maharashtra Assembly had, on 12 April, unanimously passed the Dance Bar Regulation Bill, which has provisions for stringent actions against the violators.

The new bill fixes accountability on the owner in case of violation of rules, exploitation of women employees, or in cases of obscenity.

Owners or operators face up to up to five years in jail and fines of up to Rs 25,000 for violations. Separate rules are being formulated on this, based on the provisions of the Bill.

According to the new conditions, dance bars must be at least a kilometer from any education or religious institution, their timings restricted between 6PM and 11.30PM. No liquor is to be served in the performance area. 

-ANI