Moral policing shadows couples in Chennai

Does the sight of young lovers or people of different genders hanging out together irk Chennaites? This February, advocate Thilagavati confronted a patrolman who harassed her for being with a male friend at night on Patinapakkam beach. She had recorded the encounter and uploaded it on social media. This led to much discussion on the topic of moral policing in public places in the city.

Uproar over Ms. Thilagavati’s experience had led to the officer being transferred. But the woman later faced cyberbullying about which she complained to the cyber police. “More than men, women are targeted by law enforcement officers in such circumstances,” she says.

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Many young men and women complain of similar experiences of being victims of the moral police brigade, that have left them traumatised. “Couples, especially teenagers, are easily targetted. They are then threatened and blackmailed into bribing or assault,” says Ms. Thilagavati.

Out with her boyfriend in Anna Nagar Tower Park, Thamizh, a woman in her twenties, says that they too were picked on by policemen. “It happens all the time. Sometimes they even call up our parents,“ she tells The Hindu. Even as she was speaking, a policewoman stared down at the young couple and asked them to “move ahead.” They silently obeyed.

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“It is not good for young people if their future spouses see them being with another man/woman. Girls should carefully choose good boys that their parents approve of. They can do these intimate things after marriage also. Why now? That too in public,” reasons Meena (name changed), head constable at a police station in Anna Nagar.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer of the Greater Chennai Police says, “Policemen are not instructed to confront couples, unless a safety issue arises. They have the right to be together in public.”

The 8.8 acre Thiru. Vi. Ka. Park in Shenoy Nagar has 26 security personnel and reportedly no CCTV camera inside. It is known for its watchful guards who spring into action when men and women sitting together even begin to think of holding hands. They whistle, glare down and show hand gestures before directly confronting the couples. “We have instructions from the CMRL to interfere when couples sit too close together,” says Surya, a guard there.

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“The Thiru. Vi. Ka. Park is designed in a way that there are no hideouts for couples to do inappropriate things. Every corner has high visibility and is covered by guards, who have been told to prevent intimacy between couples,” confirms a CMRL official, on the condition of anonymity. 

Those facing moral policing can assert their rights under Articles 19 (freedom of expression) and 21 (right to life and liberty). The Supreme Court and Madras High Court have upheld personal liberty under Article 21, affirming adults’ rights to consensual relationships and privacy in public spaces.

 “They can demand specific legal grounds for intervention, refuse arbitrary demands, and record interactions as evidence. Unlawful detention can be challenged with a habeas corpus and complaints can be filed with the Human Rights Commission or Women’s Commission,” says Sonam Chandwani, an advocate.

“Healthy interaction between the opposite sexes should always be encouraged,” says advocate and human rights activist Sudha Ramallingam. “In Western cultures, couples openly engage in public display of affection and this is not looked upon as vulgar. Why should it be vulgar here? I don’t understand what morality or decency people are trying to uphold and impose by moral policing,” she adds.