Anti Pub Culture in India – the aftermath of Mangalore Pub attack on women
A lot has been happening in the Mangalore Pub attack (by Sri Ram Sena) case. Many people were arrested (and all including mr. Pramod Mutalik the head of organization – are now out on bail), many statements were passed, many people have raised slogans against something called “pub culture”. Check out these statements:
“An onlooker may enjoy watching young boys and girls moving around arm-in-arm but it is not the culture of Rajasthan…
The excise policy of the BJP government, which was based on the premise of promoting pub culture and wine culture, is being thoroughly reviewed and reversed…
They (Raje Govt) had plans to open beer bars in shopping malls which would have given some kind of legitimacy and social acceptability to the liquor culture in society.” – Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot (Congress)
“We will not allow pub culture in Karnataka” - Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa (BJP)
What is “pub culture?” If we analyze the term really stands for women drinking and socializing with men in public places. Bars, or pubs, were there for years and men have been their always. As long as men were going there wasn’t an iota of protest about this being anti “Indian culture”. But the moment women have started visiting pubs, mostly in male company, why India has been feeling uncomfortable. Is it strong gender bias.
This issue has never been raised before. Go out to villages, and everyone knows our women are free to smoke beedi and hookah and drink.
My questions to both Mr. Ashok Gehlot and Mr. B S Yeddyurappa is that if they are so concerned why do not they ban the liquor in their states? I challenge them these two gentlemen to ban liquor in their respective states – they can not do this. If wine and liquor was not our culture the ban it. If they can do it in Gujarat why not in Karnataka and Rajasthan? They will not do this because:
- Liquor brings revenue to these states which they can not ignore
- One of the major group of consumers for liquor are politicians
- Liquor is used to lure voters during the election days
- They (people in politics) either own the liquor establishments or get money for funding elections (a classic example of liquor barons given coveted posts is Tirupati Tirumala Devastanam (TTD) chief who is a famous liquor businessman. This was even objected by Swami Ramdevji but congress Government in AP does not see this.)
The people who are against “pub culture: think that this is not our culture. Do you think everything in our culture was great and we should keep following. there are some good things and there are some bad. And as a society we decide what is right or wrong. We should grow with times and understand the real social fabric out there.
- Mr. Gehlot – will you stop Mr. Rahul Gandhi from going to parties or pubs?
- Mr. Gehlot – will you start “Sati Pratha” again in your state – after all that was out tradition?
- Mr. Yeddyurappa – will your party certify for each candidate in election that they do not drink, do not go to pubs or bars, have no connection with any liquor business or businessman.
You will not because the only lens that politicians like you can see from is the lens of votes.
“We definitely condemn the incident where women were attacked, but the pub culture must stop. It is because of this that youth in the country have taken to drinking in a big way,” - Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss
Mr. Anbumani Ramadoss you can read about the pub culture above. But we feel you must concentrate more on your portfolio. Whole nation is doing a mockery of your “no smoking in public places” rule. What is the point of having a rule which is not implemented.
Again we know it feels good being in media, becoming popular by taking controversial decisions. But what is the point?
“We have visited the pub and there was no security…no security guard or anybody standing there for the security of women…From some sources we heard that there was a live band also and some girls were also participating or whatever it is…We have thoroughly seen all the documents and we are not satisfied with the answers they were giving…the management which was present there.” – Nirmala Venkatesh, a member of the three-member NCW
Well – this is great! National Commission of Women is doing the job of Police and Excise. They are checking the license of pub and register of pub.
Here is a video of victim for your reference by a leading TV channel:
My question to members of NCW are:
- But dear NCW what about the “WOMEN” against whom the atrocities have been done. Who were thrashed out in public, thrown on floors. Don’t you think meeting them and taking their plight is your right job?
- Have you thought when a TV channel can find them for interview – why not NCW or Police?
- Do they have something to fear from Police of NCW?
It is very clear now that you are playing this game just to douse the public outcry. Show them that you are doing something and wait for the whole issue to die down. And of course it seems that this is being done based on directions from the people who are against pub culture.
We want our readers to voive their opinion on this issue.
Tags: Mangalore, society, womenRelated posts
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It appears from the camera footings, the attackers have not focused on the feminity of the women. They were only chasing them. I think, the charge of molestation is unfair.
February 1st, 2009