Anti-Romeo squads spark fears in UP
new delhi — Soon after BJP’s Yogi Adityanath was sworn in as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh last month, government-sponsored vigilante squads with active participation of police force, roamed around the capital city of Lucknow, prohibiting young couples from interacting in public places.
The so called Anti-Romeo squads said romance couldn’t be a pretext for harassing women.
In the cities of Uttar Pradesh now — in malls and parks — men are careful not to hold the hands of their female partners and draw the wrath of the lurking vigilante groups. The anti-Romeo movement seems to be catching on nationally.
Haryana, like Uttar Pradesh, is also ruled by the right wing BJP.
On Wednesday, Haryana, a relatively prosperous state neighboring Delhi, launched Operation Durga. Durga is a Hindu deities of power and vengeance, and is a symbol of women empowerment.
On the very first day, Haryana police said they have “nabbed” 72 Romeos from across the state. Most of them were “indulging in crimes against women,” said an officer with the chief minister’s Flying Squad, under which department moral vigilantism is managed.
The Operation Durga team comprises nine women sub-inspectors of police, among others.
According to a press release, the squad “visited public places such as schools, colleges, bus stands and railway stations, and arrested persons indulging in crimes against women, including eve-teasing.”
The group said it would protect women, no matter what. Women’s groups have been maintaining a discreet silence.
A Haryana spokesperson said the state had already set up women’s police stations in all districts.
Haryana is traditionally a male dominated society, and the infamous Khap runs the writ in many areas. Khap is a Jat group of elders who believe in honouring traditional values.
The spokesperson said the activities of Operation Durga will help women come forward and register complaints against harassment by men.
Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are not the only newly women-friendly states. Recently, in Cochin, Kerala, a group of men led by the local Shiv Sena, went about slapping and abusing young men and women Good old Shakespeare is getting a bad name.”
A Delhi University professor
sitting together in public places.
Later, as sentiments rose against the vigilantism episode, the leaders of the group were dismissed from the party.
In Dehradun, the capital of the in the BJP-ruled Uttarakhand, Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, formed Jatayu Dasta, a vigilante group. Jatayu refers to the mythical bird in Ramayana, who fought against the demon king Ravana, who abducted Sita.
The Jatayu squad mainly prowls around colleges and schools. Educational institutions, according to them, is a breeding ground for Romeo activities. Shyam Sharma, a squad member, said: “We patrol the areas round the clock.
“If we see something wrong, we either directly intervene, or alert the police. This is social work for us.”
More social activism of the kind is scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad, capital of Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A permanent antiRomeo squad consisting of 10 police officers is all set to get rolling on April 18 in Ahemadabad.
In an off the record chat, a literature professor from Delhi University said: “Good old Shakespeare is getting a bad name.” The professor teaches, among other things, Romeo and Juliet to graduate students.