New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that people cannot throw money at women in dance bars while issuing a notice to Maharashtra Government over new law for dance bar licenses in the state.
According to reports, the top court stressed that the act of throwing money at women was ‘against the dignity of women, culture and decency’.
A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and C Nagappan, issued notice to the state government on a batch of petitions including one filed by Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA) challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016.
Refusing to accept showering of currency notes on women dancers as tip, the bench said, "this provision shows respect for women. This dignifies decency and culture".
The bench distinguished between throwing money in cinema halls with showering of notes on women dancers at the bars.
"This is not the silver screen where you throw money. They are performers and there is certain dignity attached to them."
Senior advocate Jayant Bhushan appearing for IHRA said the Act allows giving financial reward to singers but strangely prohibited the same for dancers.
"Handing over currency to dancers for their performances is just like giving a tip. This is allowed for singers and prohibited for the dancers," Bhushan argued.
The bench rejected the vehement contention of senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, representing Maharashtra, that the plea should not be entertained by the apex court and sent to the Bombay High Court for adjudication.
During the brief hearing, the counsel for various hotels and dance bars objected to several provisions of the new law, including installation of CCTV cameras near performance areas.
Bhushan termed as unconstitutional the provision which requires that no drinks would be served at a place where dancers would be performing in the bar.
He also objected to a clause where bars are required to employ the dancers, saying a performer cannot be restrained from choosing places where she can perform.
"Why should a woman be forced to be employed. They are professionals. They are performers and can give their performances at any place of their choice," Bhushan said.
The Maharashtra Assembly had on April 12, 2016 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 6 pm and 11.30 pm, and liquor not to be served in the performance area.
