Tamil Nadu: Hindutva moral police threaten hotels offering free alcohol to women

From: The Times of India

Hindutva activists try to barge into star

Dec 29, 2011, 05.52AM IST


COIMBATORE: Activists of a local Hindutva brigade attempted to barge into a leading star hotel in the city on Wednesday demanding to stop its plan to hold New Year party in 'western style'. What provoked the Hindutva outfit was the announcement of the hotel that alcoholic beverages would be served free to women who accompany men to the New Year party. Police have arrested and removed 27 activists of the little-known Hindu Makkal Katchi (Tamizhagam).

A heavy posse of policemen prevented the activists who attempted to enter into the premises of Le Meridian Hotel on Avinashi Road near Neelambur. They told the management of the hotel not to engage in attempts to infuse Western values into Indian minds.

"The Le Meridian hotel has announced ballroom dance party on the occasion of New Year. By inviting couples to the party, the hotel is trying to popularise drinking culture among women. While the younger generation is already addicted to alcohol, the star hotel is now trying to spoil our culture and such parties are encouraging alcoholism among the youths," said Arjun Sampath, founder-president of Hindu Makkal Katchi (Tamizhagam).

"Some of the star hotels and clubs in the urban and rural areas are promoting western culture and spoiling our Indian culture in the garb of New Year parties. Our women's are the torchbearers of the society. But these kinds of parties will affect our nation's future,'' he added.

The Hindu Makkal Katchi (Tamizhagam) had given a petition to district collector M Karunagaran, requesting him to take action against the star hotels which may 'encourage alcoholism in women.'

"We have formed a saffron brigade to curb the New Year party excess. The brigade will conduct patrol on December 31 at the star hotel premises and those who found violating the rules will be handed over to the police," Arjun Sampath said. "If any woman was found consuming alcohol on the occasion, she would be subjected to awareness sessions,'' he said.

However, police are not ready to treat the moral policing of the outfit lightly. "We are enforcing strict night vigil on the New Year occasion and all those who found in mysterious circumstances would be nabbed. The Makkal Katchi activists have no right to become moral police. If they attempt to trouble those who enter hotels for celebrations, strict action would be taken,'' deputy police commissioner Hema Karunakaran said.

"Hotels are organizing private function and it would be the personal freedom of people to take part or not in the festivities. The organization can bring any anomaly to our notice. But they would be dealt with strictly if they attempt to take law into their hands,'' said E S Uma, Rural SP. She also warned that no unlawful assembly before hotels would be allowed.