Will ‘Kiss of Love’ blind society’s ‘protective gaze’?

This was an award-winning ad put out by the US Government to sensitise the public on the need to have neighborhood groups to protect women and children. “It is important that we fight moral policing with all our might but at the same time we should ensure that essential things are enquired into without intruding into one’s rights,” said Fr Philip Parakkat, a member of the Commission for the Protection of Child Rights. "In our zeal we should never fail to recognise the concept of the best interests of the child," he added.

Unfortunately, the police cannot be trusted. “We had always taken things too far when a boy or a girl was found in suspicious circumstances. When only basic friendly enquiries were required we had preferred harassment,” a top police official said. But even staunch feminists speak of the importance of “protective eyes”.

“There is no denying the fact that moral policing has manifested in vulgar and dangerous ways. But we should somehow ensure that teenagers and even those above 18 are protected from those out to take advantage,” said Srivindia Paul, a child-rights activist and theatre artist. At least half the girls lodged in the Nirbhaya home for the victims of sexual abuse had fallen in love with the wrong man.

The State had formed ‘jagrutha samithis’ in panchayats, essentially local vigilante groups to prevent atrocities against women and children. These are virtually dysfunctional. “Such groups can also turn dangerous. So I feel the police should be sensitized. We should evolve a behaviour protocol for the police to deal with instances involving young men and women,” the police official said.