Ahilya Rangnekar regrets taking up dance bar ban issue

MUMBAI: One of the most well-known and vocal votaries of the dance bar ban, Ahilya Rangnekar regrets taking up the issue and extending support to the government on it.

 

Reacting to the Bombay High Court decision striking down the ordinance, Rangnekar revealed that though shocking, it was expected.

 

“Lawyers were unwilling to take serious note of our stand. All who I had approached kept telling me that being a woman I should have a compassionate view of the issue. According to them, I lacked compassion. The lawyers felt our stand did not hold much strength as we were fighting to take away the right to work of these dancers,” Rangnekar told DNA.

 

“The government went back on its word and did not work out a rehabilitation package for the dance bar girls. I regret taking up the issue,” she said.

 

Refusing to comment on the stance taken by Rangnekar, Dance Bar Virodhi Manch convenor Vidya Chavan stated that the umbrella organisation would approach the Supreme Court. The appeal will be made in a few weeks, revealed Chavan.

 

Twenty-four non-government organisations (have united under the Dance Bar Virodhi Manch and supported the government’s ban on dancing in beer bars.

 

Well known names in community service, including Mrinal Gore, Rangnekar, Vidya Chavan and Pratiba Naiithani took their pro-government stance to the streets and urged wider support from society.

 

The Manch had submitted 1.50 lakh signatures to the Legislative Assembly, insisting on the closure of dance bars. The ban came into effect from August 15 last year.

 

Said Chavan, “We are prepared with our arguments. When the decision was delayed for so long, we expected this outcome.”

 

However, Rangnekar felt that there was no point in appealing to the Supreme Court without aggressive and knowledgeable lawyers taking up the issue for the Manch. “It is such a wasted battle,” she said.

 

Naiithani felt an appeal must be made in the Supreme Court. According to her, since dance bars have emerged as a major social problem, the Manch will try all options to ensure the ban stays in force.

 

Naiithani felt that since dance bars encouraged prostitution, its activities should be brought within the purview of the Indecent Representation of Women Act.

 

“After the decision the dance bar owners will become more bold. What was once happening in a hidden manner will now take place openly,” Naiithani said.

 

On July 21, 2005 the Bill to ban dancing in beer bars was passed unanimously after a marathon debate in both Houses of the Maharashtra Legislature.

 

Shiv Sena deputy leader and member of the Legislative Council Dr Neelam Gorhe said both Houses must debate on the issue before the Budget session ends on April 21.

 

“There could be loopholes in the Act banning dance bars. Members of both Houses must bring in necessary changes to plug loopholes. The government must appeal to the Supreme Court,” said Dr Gorhe.

 

An angry former chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Dr Poornima Advani emphasised that the state government must appeal against the high court order. “It was a mistake on the part of the Maharashtra Government to give the bars licences under the garb of promoting cultural activities. Dance bars have been encouraged by the state government. They are pickup joints and men do not throw cash on the dancers for nothing. Dance bars are derogatory to the dignity of women,” Advani said.