Mumbai's nightlife rivival: HC questions Fadnavis Govt's preparedness on women's safety

Mumbai, Mar 7: At a time when the Devendra Fadnavis government is mulling over reviving the vibrant nightlife in country's commercial capital Mumbai, the Bombay High Court has asked the government to explain what steps it has considered to ensure safety of women if pubs and restaurants are allowed to remain open all night.

A bench of justices Abhay Oka and AK Menon asked the state government if such a policy had been framed, whether it was done taking into consideration the aspect of women's safety.

Earlier last month, Aaditya Thackeray chief of Yuva Sena had discussed the plans of keeping restaurants and pubs in the city open 24X7 with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria has already given his nod to the proposal of nightlife in the 'Maximum City'.

This development hinted towards a significant shift in right wing Shiv Sena's ideologies' which was once considered as a conservative party and had been opposing them. Shiv Sena is known for its right wing or pro-Hindutva ideology and was once against the influence of western culture on Indian youth and society.

"I had a meeting with @CMOMaharashtra on my proposal for #MumbaiNightLife. I will tweet details soon, good news," he posted on Twitter.

"Necessary laws would be amended so that the financial capital can have a nightlife by the end of the year," he later told a TV channel.

The 1.30 am deadline for restaurants and bars is likely to be discarded after the laws are amended, 24-year-old Aaditya, the son of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, said.

"Malls, clubs could stay open 24X7, along with chemists and convenience stores," he tweeted earlier.
Non-residential areas like Kala Ghoda, Nariman Point, BKC can be Special Entertainment Zones at night, he added.

"Eateries, Cafes, Milk Shops, Chemists and Malls and Mill-Malls (with all their establishments) can be given the option of staying open," he had said in a tweet.

Aaditya had also recently on Twitter thanked Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria "for his nod to the proposal of nightlife".

OneIndia News