DANCE BARS ALL SET TO MAKE A COME-BACK!! Owners Celebrate!!
In a major setback to the Maharashtra government and giving a huge relief to dance bar owners and, obliviously, the dance bar girls, the Supreme Court on Thursday gave judgement in favour of dance bars, albeit with some conditions!!
Headed by a Bench of Justices A.K. Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, the Supreme Court in its judgment said that the state government has no authority to exercise social control on a ‘profession’ which may be regarded as ‘immoral by societal standards’. The state government can implement certain restraints, but cannot stop a profession completely!
Though the Apex Court has given permission to re-start dance bars, it has implemented few restraints like people cannot shower cash on bar dancers, but are allowed to give tips to the dancers. The dance bar owners cannot hire girls on a monthly salary but can sign contracts. The dance bar area shall not be under the surveillance of CCTV. The dance bar shall be open only from 6.30 p.m.11.30 p.m. The Apex Court has also warned that there should be no obscenity in the dance bar.
Elated at the path-breaking judgment, Amar Shetty, President of AHAR – Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association- told Home Times, “This is a landmark judgement. I am delighted. Since 2005, we had been battling for justice. I am glad our hard work has paid dividends and we have got justice.” He added, “The judgement has not only brought relief to dance bar girls, but it is a great respite for all the dance bar owners and the staff working in our hotels as our bread and butter is dependent on the income earned from this business.”
