Bengaluru, Nov 21 (DHNS): Expressing serious reservations against holding the “Kiss of Love” campaign in the City, Kannada & Culture Minister Umashree said that such public display of affection is “against our culture”.
In a letter to Home Minister K J George on Thursday, Umashree said the organisers have given a call to hold the campaign on November 29 to protest against moral policing.
“But young men and women kissing in public is against our culture. Love and physical action like kissing are personal. Such things should be within the four walls and not be displayed in public,” she said.
Her views are diametrically opposite to those of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who said on Wednesday that the government will give permission for the campaign provided there is no violation of the law.
Explaining how the campaign could attract police action, Umashree said obscene acts in public are punishable under Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code.
Such events are a public embarrassment and mislead school and college students. They finally lead to social unrest and sexual offences, Umashree said.
Obscene celebrations cannot be encouraged under the garb of freedom of expression as guaranteed under the Constitution, the minister added.