‘Innocent people should not be targeted during anti-Romeo drives’

Anti-Romeo drive of police has elicited mixed response in the state capital. While many girls see it as a good initiative creating fear among road Romeos who sometimes chase them or pass lewd remarks outside colleges and schools.

However, some feel that an overdrive by the police will defeat the purpose. “I saw on television that a boy was caught even while he was off to some multiplex for a movie with a friend. The boy was questioned and taken by the police despite his telling the cops that they were going for a get together and their other friends were waiting for them in the multiplex. This is wrong,” says Samriddhi, a post graduate from Lucknow University.

Many youngsters say police intervention is good but cops should ensure that they do not go overboard and create trouble for innocent people.

“We are very much in favour of the drive. In fact, Lucknow badly needed it. But checking road Romeos should not mean that the cops stop allowing boys and girls going somewhere together or talking to one another,” opines Swati Saxena, an IT graduate and a teacher.

“There could be cases where a girl has to be picked up by a brother or other family member from college. There could even be situations when some friends decide to go together. Until there is any objection from the girl, cops shouldn’t target the boy accompanying them,” says Akriti Singh, a student.

Some others are of the opinion that the drive should not be restricted to colleges and coaching centres. “Girls who commute in tempos and autos are big suffers. Busy tempo stands including Charbagh, Nishatganj, Aminabad, Chowk and Polytechnic crossing are the places where stalkers are found in abundance. Some cops should be placed at these spots to ensure safety of girls on busy crossings and market areas,” avers Hamida, who works with a social organisation.

Roop Rekha Verma, former vice chancellor Lucknow University, says, “The news reports have highlighted how police have been harassing innocent boys and girls found together. They have detained boys despite girls’ statements that they were together with consent and they were friends.”

She defined the police act as ‘insensitive’ and ‘barbarous’. “Police seem to have misunderstood the concept. We are surely against road Romeos but such moral policing is also objectionable. Unless the girl complaints, the police shouldn’t detain or harass the boy accompanying her,” she added.

Madhu Garg, another social activist, says the police actions are similar to those of Shiv Sena volunteers who chased boys and girls on the Valentine’s Day.

“Police should not disturb boys and girls unless they are into some objectionable thing or there is a complaint from the girl. If a boy and a girl are together as friends with consent and maintain decency on roads, there is no point objecting,” she opined.