SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
Team Herald
CALANGUTE/MAPUSA: The Police Inspector of the Calangute Police Station, Nolasco Raposo, has said that the recommendation to follow the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Establishments, and Bar rooms, was to protect the dignity of employees (ladies) working as waitresses and dancers the whole night.
PI Raposo has clarified that the proposal was not to encourage or give licences to dance bars but to ensure that existing establishments having bars and licences within the police station jurisdiction “who have employed ladies as waitresses/dancers” operate between 6 pm and 11.30 pm “so as to protect these ladies.”
Section 3 of the Maharashtra Act states, “No person shall start a hotel, restaurant bar room or any other place where dances are staged without obtaining a licence under this Act and without complying with the conditions and restrictions imposed by the Act and rules”.
The rules prohibit any obscene dancing, throwing of currency notes or coins at dancers, or indulging in any activity that would tantamount to exploiting a woman for an immoral purpose.
Cong raises objections
Raising objections to legislation to permit dance bars, Calangute Congress leaders threatened to mobilise crowd.
Former Calangute MLA and Congress leader Agnelo Fernandes said they are shocked but not surprised with Calangute Police move of legislation to permit dance bars. "We have clubs in Calangute, dance parties happening in Calangute where girls have danced without security. By moving this legislation, who is PI Raposo trying to protect,” said the former MLA.
"There are 32 illegal dance bars operating in Calangute and we have highlighted this time and again. At these dance bars, girls give colour water to customers and then charge them heavily. They take their cards and then use them to withdraw cash," Fernandes said.
