Maharashtra Home Minister says dance bar verdict is against people’s sentiments

The Maharashtra Home Minister of State, Ranjeet Patil on Thursday said that the Supreme Court’s verdict on dance bars is a mixed judgement and does not reflect the sentiments of the people of Maharashtra.

Ranjeet Patil stated that “The Supreme Court’s judgement given today about dance bars is a judgement of mixed nature. However, the people of Maharashtra are against the dance bars, so this judgement doesn’t reflect the sentiments of the people of Maharashtra.”

He further added that “We will follow the Supreme Court’s verdict with all due respect but will not allow any wrongdoing in the name of dance bars in the state.”

The Supreme Court had paved the way for dance bars in Maharashtra, striking down strict laws imposed by the state in 2016. The apex court said dance and liquor can go together.

The court in its verdict on Thursday said “There cannot be a total prohibition on dance bars. No licence has been granted by Maharashtra since 2005. There may be regulations but that should not amount to a total prohibition.”

The Dance Bar Regulation Bill, that was unanimously passed by the state assembly in 2016, among other things, prohibits serving liquor in performance areas and mandates that the premises must shut by 11:30 pm.