In the wake of vandalism against a coffee shop in Kozhikode, Kerala, by a youth wing affiliated to the BJP that alleged immoral activities happening at the cafe, a group of youngsters announced a ‘kiss of love’ protest in Kochi on November 2.
The event, reminiscent of the 2009 ‘Pink Chaddi’ campaign in Mangalore, where hundreds sent pink underwear to the office of a right-wing group that allegedly attacked some women in a pub, has become a talking point in Chennai.
Lakshmi, a corporate executive, says, “There are some religious fundamentalists who feel they are the upholders of Indian morality. But nobody has the right to police anybody else.”
The campaign, primarily mobilised on social media, has also provoked discussion on how effective the medium is in bringing people together for a cause.
Mridula Chari, a media professional, says, “At one level, all social media campaigns are pointless because it’s such a niche audience and exclusive few they are catering to. But when it comes to issues of moral paranoia, the only way forward, I suppose, is through dialogue. And that, the movement has given rise to, to some extent.”
Pratik Bhakta, a college student, says, though Chennai has not had such incidents, various forms of moral policing are rampant here too.
“Whenever you go to a public place with a member of the opposite sex, even if it is just a friend, you find yourself at the receiving end of disapproving looks and comments,” he says.
While Kochi’s ‘kiss day’ in itself may or may not be deemed a success, it is the discussion the campaign has stoked that could be its biggest take-away.
