: Eight years ago, Manoj and Fathima used to frequent the Marine Drive walkway. The promenade was one of the few spots in the city where the young couple could spend time away from the eyes of families and society that forbid an inter-religious relationship.
“We faced so much trouble due to moral policing. Even the police stopped us on Marine Drive to question us. We were harassed whenever we tried to go out,” said Manoj, a 32-year-old businessman in the city.
Manoj and Fathima have been married for seven years and now have two children. They were happy when they saw the buzz around ‘Kiss of Love’ on Facebook. “We decided to come to the event and express our support because it is very important for us. We were victims of moral policing in a way,” said Manoj.
The couple arrived at Marine Drive around 3.30 p.m. and stuck around for a long while, waiting for the event to begin. News soon trickled in that a group of organisers and supporters of the event had been detained near Law College. The dejected couple decided to leave the ground, their desire to express their affection for each other rejected once again by the moral police at Marine Drive.
“We wanted to be a part of this event for our children, you see. When they grow up, I want them to have a chance at a better life. Things have to change,” said Manoj.
