SC ruling on dance bars is a 'moral defeat' of Maharashtra government: Oppositionn

MUMBAI: The Supreme Court's decision paving the way for reopening of dance bars across Maharashtra is "moral and administrative defeat" of the BJP-led government, Opposition parties said today.

The apex court has stayed the operation of 2014 amendment in the Maharashtra Police Act that had banned dance performances at bars and some other places.

"This is not only a legal and administrative failure of the state government but a moral defeat too," Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said.

"This situation has arisen as the government did not put forth its views in the court effectively," Munde said.

"The dance bar ban, initiated by the then Home Minister late R R Patil in 2005, was kept in force despite many hurdles," the NCP leader said.

"We demand that the Fadnavis-led government, which is completing a year in office this month, should approach the SC against lifting the ban," Munde said.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik alleged that the lifting of the stay on dance bars was a result of "collusion between ruling BJP-Shiv Sena leaders and dance bar owners."

"People from the Dance Bars Association met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and also Yuva Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray to put forth their demand," Malik said.