A kissathon to protest against the vandalisation of an eatery in Kozhikode caught the world’s attention before the moral police decided to lock horns with those who wanted to protest with a lip-lock.
Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Delhi followed suit with protests with kisses to support the organisers of the ‘Kiss of Love’ event in Kerala. Earlier, a leading college in the city witnessed clashes, reportedly because a few male students wanted to stop the female students from wearing jeans. Prior to that a leading musician used a public platform to speak out against women wearing jeans! Times may have changed but in Kerala, the so-called guardians of morals have taken it upon themselves to police the youth in Kerala.
Students in All Saints’ College vehemently reject the idea of a society wherein others decide what they should wear and what they shouldn’t, whom they should talk to and how they should behave in a public place. Not when the same young women have won the right to vote and have a say in the governance.
“What is moral policing? Is there a law pertaining to that? No. Then, why should you be concerned about the personal life of another person? Recently we had an interaction with a top police official who admitted that moral policing is illegal and that the police department is worried about the scenario. I strongly feel that the whole issue has a ‘communal fascist’ angle to it,” asserts Gayathry Gopal, a final year undergraduate student of literature. And before she excuses herself to go to her class, she adds with a smile, “I think there is an element of sexual jealousy also!”
According to Samra Fuad, a first year undergraduate student of literature, moral policing is just a term that is defined in different ways by different people.
“Also, what might appear vulgar for one person may not appear the same for another. Why don’t these so-called protectors of morals raise their voice against violence? When a drunkard abuses people or resorts to unruly behaviour, why don’t they stop him?” she asks.
Lamiya Sherif, a second year undergraduate student, terms moral policing as “collective goondaism. It is a free society and as much as you enjoy your freedom, respect another person’s freedom also. And instead of moral policing, we all should have a moral policy.”
Articulately expressing their outrage, they wonder why is it that even today there are some who can’t stand two people of the opposite sex sitting together and talking, even in a public place. And it is the same society that turns a blind eye to incidents of child abuse and molestation.
While Nirajana M.B., a second year degree student, asks “Why can’t a man and a woman have a healthy relationship?” Arya Alvernez, another undergraduate student, wonders aloud who gave these moral policing group the authority to be law enforcers.
“There is an innate hypocrisy in most Malayalis. It is okay if you hug and bid farewell to a friend in an airport/railway station, but when you do the same thing in a public place, that becomes vulgar! By the way, where are these ‘upholders of the moral code of conduct’ hiding when a girl finds it difficult to travel in a crowded bus or when small children become victims of abuse?” says Arya.
The students felt many of those who don the role of protectors of culture do it to impress others. These people get some kind of pleasure in shouting at and abusing couples who are enjoying each other’s company. They consider themselves as heroes by doing so, especially in places such as the Museum ground or Kanakakunnu Palace ground or the beach.
“If you feel uncomfortable with a couple’s behaviour in a public space, there is always a civilised way to request them to move away. Parents with children might object to promiscuous behaviour in places where kids congregate. So youngsters should take into account their surroundings,” believes Nesty Jose, a postgraduate student of literature.
Some students were of the view that the media played an important role in sensationalising the issue. “When the Kiss of Love event was announced, it got unwanted publicity thanks to the visual media and social media. On the day of the event, there were more onlookers than participants and protestors. I feel that media houses should show some kind of restraint while reporting such incidents,” says Amritha J. Renjit, second year undergraduate student of Communicative English.
Her classmate, Jemima John, adds: “Even as we take great pride in our culture and heritage, what has been happening around us is indeed a matter of shame.” “True, we are degrading ourselves by projecting our intolerance,” quips Niranjana.
So, is there a way out? Well, we have to wait, says Nesty.
“Generations keep changing and there will be a change in mindsets too. If our generation is accommodative about the scenario, the following generations will be even more broad minded. The change will happen naturally.”
(A monthly column on views from the campus)
