On Friday, a young man in Bengaluru walked into PVR Cinemas at Bangalore Forum Mall. He never knew that he would be subjected to moral policing for wearing a T shirt that had the word ‘fu*king’ written on it.
The video of the incident has been posted on Facebook by a Bangalore based freelance journalist, Parul Agarwal. For the most part of the one minute video, another policeman seems to be a mute spectator and adding to the man’s moral tirade.
The man was questioned for wearing indecent clothes to a public place and was given a lecture on maintaining decency at a place where families visit frequently. He was also asked to get a new T shirt and then enter the cinema hall by the policeman.
“What are you wearing? How many families are coming here? Wear something else and come. What is this?” the self proclaimed protector of morality questions the young man in English, pointing to his T shirt.
The police even tried to capture the picture of the young man but he denied taking his photograph.
In the video, the young man was found responding to the police, telling him that there is nothing wrong with wearing it. He further said that it was available on the market after all.
“The man in red was probably on his way to the washroom when the moralist spotted him. He then approached a policeman who was standing nearby. The duo then stopped the young man and questioned him,” Parul said.
“The policeman then told us that he was only there because the other man had called him. He then proceeded to call another police officer, who later arrived and dispersed the crowd. I am aware of the incident, but I haven’t seen the said footage and so cannot comment on the policeman’s action. I don’t have full details of the case as of now and so I will reserve my comment. There are departmental disciplinary actions that can be taken against the police personnel, but we will decide that after studying the matter,” a DCP said.
“They have asked me to mail them the details of the incident. I also have another video where the policeman is speaking and is identifiable. When I enquired about the legal aspect of the issue, I was told that Section 293 (whoever does an obscene act in public place) will not be applicable in this case. SC advocate K.V. Dhananjay has opined that the young man could not be charged since the interpretation of the section was important. The section that does prohibit vulgarity takes into consideration the magnanimity, impact and provocation aspect,” she explained.
