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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Maharashtra government for framing rules that prohibit dance bars within a distance of one kilometre from educational institutions.
Terming the government’s condition as equal to prohibition, the apex court said that it viewed dancing as an art performance and that it was better to dance in bars than beg on the streets.
“Dance is a profession. If it is obscene, it loses its legal sanctity. Government regulatory measures cannot be prohibitory,” the court said hearing a petition that opposed dance bars in Mumbai.
The state government in response assured the court that the law would be revised.
The Maharashtra Assembly had on April 12 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.
