No Fun, Please, We're Chandigarh. New Rules For Pubs, Discos Appear Over-Bearing

Chandigarh: No, Chandigarh's new rules for bars and discotheques do not ban short skirts. But they do empower bureaucrats to cancel permits if the establishments are considered "indecent or of a scurrilous character" or "seditious and likely to excite political discontent."

There has been much anger and a buzz on social media after reports that the new nightlife policy, in force since April 1, bans short hemlines. "Chandigarh, Skirt, Nightclub" was the top search on Google in India on Wednesday morning.

The new policy - called Controlling of Places of Public Amusement, 2016 -  prohibits "any exhibition or advertisement whether by way of posters or in newspapers, photographs of scantly dressed women."

It does not define "scantily dressed women", and angry activists have asked if women were consulted while framing the rules. "If they are asking the women not to wear short skirts, they have to give in written that no wrong will happen with them. This is baseless. The decision must include the consent of the women as well," said activist Barkha Shukla Singh.

The BJP's Shazia Ilmi called it "extremely idiotic" and "high moral policing" and suggested other solutions to ensure the safety of women.

What the new rules do explicitly ban is carrying guns and firearms into bars and nightclubs, even if people have a licence for the weapons. Only security men are exempt, says the new policy, which has also curbed bar timings till midnight instead of the 2 am allowed earlier, much to the chagrin of citizens.

Discotheques, video game parlours, bowling alleys and establishments where there is music, singing, dancing, eating and alcohol is served, are covered under the new rules.

The Chandigarh administration framed the policy on orders of the Punjab and Haryana high court after a number of violent incidents outside discotheques in the city.