MORAL POLICING ATTITUDES IN THE SOCIETY A CASE STUDY ON THE EXPERIENCES OF DIFFERENT MORAL POLICING VICTIMS IN THIRUVANATHAPURAM
MA SOCIOLOGY
2018-2020
i TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT
CHAPTERS TITLE PAGE NO
I INTRODUCTION 1-10
II REVIEW OF LITERATURE 11-21
III METHODOLOGY 22-24
IV CASES PRESENTATION 25-30
V THEMATIC ANALYSIS 31-41 & DICUSSION
VI FINDINGS, SUGGESTION 42-46 & CONCLUSION
BIBILIOGRAPHY 47-49
APPENDIX 49-51
ii
ABSTRACT
The present study titled “MORAL POLICING ATTITUDES IN THE SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY ON THE EXPERIENCES OF DIFFERENT MORAL POLICING VICTIMS IN THIRUVANATHAPURAM” is to understand the different moral policing attitudes existing in our society. It is been conducted on people who either reside or study in Thiruvananthapuram district and has experienced moral policing in their lives. The study is been conducted using qualitative methods.
Moral Policing is not an uncommon scenario in Modern India. It refers to the process through which certain groups or individual tries enforce a code of morality either harming or non harming. The cases of moral policing are on a high in India and Kerala. These kinds of activities are considered to be illegal under the legal law. It is said that certain groups harm people in the name of moral policing with the support of the political parties and cops. The voices of the people who undergoes such activities are paid less interest.
In a nation where everything has a secular and democratic face such activities seem to be less focussed. However, a culture of silence exists in showcasing the experiences of the moral policing victims. Therefore, taking into consider such activities. The study had laid emphasis on understanding the experiences of the victims who had been in different moral policing situations. There exists a need to shower light over such activities happening in our society and provide a clear understanding regarding the experiences of the victims to the people in the society. There is indeed a need for the people to understand the intensity of such activities taking place in the society.
iii
CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” – Martin Luther King.
In modern times a state is adjudged, evaluated and known by the just governance and the effectively of its system to deliver justice. As Justice J.S Verma had rightly remarked that, “Human dignity is the quintessence of human rights”.
MORAL POLICING Moral policing is mainly termed to refer an umbrella category of vigilante groups and individuals who act to enforce a code of morality. Several vigilante groups that claim to protect the Indian culture. They resist and oppose cultural concepts that they deem to have been imported from the Western culture. Many people in the country have accepted them but there are some people who are not willing to accept them and will neither let others follow them. These people start to protest against these trends and culture as well as against the people following them. This is called moral policing and the group of people who do this are called the moral police. According to these people, the western trend is spoiling our culture and spoiling the youth population of the country. They think that in India there is no place for the western culture. India has its own culture and it should follow that. They also think that if some tries to follow the western culture in a form which is against the Indian culture should be punished. If the Indian law does not have any provision to punish them, it becomes their responsibility to punish these people. For this, the moral police groups attack pubs and bars, shut down exhibitions. In some areas, they also oppose western dresses, love marriages and occasions like Valentine’s Day, kiss day, hug day etc. sometimes, their actions get so violent that they are not even accepted by the law.
“Moral Policing in India” is quite interesting because of its subjective nature. Moral Policing in its broadest sense could mean a system where a strict vigil and restriction is imposed on those who violate the basic standards of our society. The basic standard of our society could be found in its cultures, age-old customs which are derived from the scriptures and ancient texts like Ramayana, Manu smriti, and other relevant religious texts. The basic duty of a moral police is to uphold their cultural values wherever they feel it is in danger by the existence of an alternative culture, and they especially presume even if it is not that the alternative culture tries to violate and destroy the existing Indian culture. Consequently, such kind of moral policing is an act of ‘conformity’ which makes it really difficult for the alternate culture to coexist with the Indian culture and often it is deemed as a
1 dangerous situation because it leaves not even a tiny space for difference and toleration to exist which leads to altercation and conflicts in the society. They have been known to attack bars and pubs. Some of these groups have attacked or have forced to shut down art exhibitions, where they claim obscene paintings were being displayed. They have issued diktats against western attires.
The conception of this phenomenon contravenes the secular nature of our Country as well as its Constitution to some extent if we speculate and assess the outfits which are involved in promoting their conservative beliefs and ideologies. Apart from this vigilante groups the common man is also a part of this morality keeping policing. People who came forward with this moral policing usually consider themselves upholding the Indian culture, they raise their voice and stop private interactions as they consider it offending their Indian culture and traditional norms of the society. Such kind of people are in all areas of society be it institutions, common public places, government firms, localities, political agendas upholders, police people etc. Some members of the media have also colluded with such groups. There have been instances were politicians supported these viewpoints and such activities. Mainly these groups or individuals tries to sort out or prevent the happening of obscenity or other activities which they deem is against Indian culture. Literally the word ‘obscene’ means chastity or modesty whereas legally the word ‘obscene’ means the tendency of which is deprave those whose minds are open to immoral influence. The term obscene is a wide term whatever vulgar and indecent cannot be attached to it. Sections 292 to 294 in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), dating back to 1860, were used to fight against or to prevent "obscenity," a term whose scope was always perhaps intentionally unclear. Today, "obscenity" remains in the eye of the beholder as the age-old trend in moral policing gathers fresh momentum.
Cultural values and moral standard differ from nation to nation, simply sexually explicit is not obscene in Western countries the same may be considered obscene in India. The acceptance of different patterns of elements of ‘decency’ or ‘morality’ differs from country to country. Moral policing has been hastened recently due to fake rumours which are usually spread on the social networking platforms, but parts of rural and small-town India remain profoundly traditional. Rag tag entities are so intoxicated with destroying anything that is alien to the Indian culture, then they should destroy that very culture which is an assimilation of several cultures, some of which do not belong to this land. Further, the so-called Indian culture, with which such groups are so obsessed, has predominantly Aryan
2 imprints and even a cursory glance at eighth standard History books will be enough to know that Aryans came from the Steppes of southern Russia and Central Asia (alien lands with an ‘alien’ culture). And a majority of the Indians, especially in the Indo-Gangetic belt, are a descendant of those Aryans and as such outsiders. So, these brigands may very well think of destroying them. The very thought of such an act is horrifying Women walk a few paces behind their husbands and some still wear face veils. The list highlights the cultural flux that India finds itself in. Many young urban Indians are guilty of all the don'ts — and worse. Dating and premarital sex, for example, are rising. The roots of moral policing were laid down in the very essence of the idea that the Indian culture needs to be ‘protected’ from falling prey to the vices of the western culture. More often, acts of moral policing aren't as violent, but they can still result in criminal complaints. Parents usually have a reputation to be strict and controlling about morality, and their children tries to uphold and take up their parent’s moral values. The rising western culture have resulted in moral policing activities says the nationwide data. There are families which resist and oppose cultural concepts that deemed to have come western culture. Moral Policing in extreme cases tends to violence, killings and damage to property. Moral Policing is some cases affect the artistic creativity and innovations.
MORAL POLICING: THE INDIAN CONTEXT Moral policing is a very predominant phenomenon in India. In a world that is rapidly modernizing both in terms of socio-economic development as well as collective thinking, India seems to be taking a step backward. ‘Moral policing’ is reported y national media’s one of the many means employed to make the conventional orthodox and dogmatic culture homogenised among the mass to invoke a false consciousness of what is ‘right’ and what is ‘wrong’. Moral policing is a gripping example of radicalization of ideology at play. Often, when we scroll through our social media newsfeed or flip through the pages of the daily newspaper, we come across instances of ‘moral policing’. Be it the aunty from your neighbourhood, institutional heads, vigilante groups or the highest state of government, they all enjoy judging and being the master of what is morally right and wrong. Public display of affection is believed to obscene to sections of the Indian society they believe that it is against Indian culture and is intolerable.
Moral Policing victims claims that these people fail to realise is that what might be morally wrong or indecent for you might be absolutely normal for someone else. India's current transition is a complicated one. India is moving drastically from a traditional set of values to more liberalized modern ones. There are bound to be patrons on each side and the general population is averse to change. On the other hand, you have the young
3 rebels who dispose of the traditional values and become disciples of the modern ones. Since the basic idea is that modernization is a practice propounded by the west, this turns into a conflict between the western culture and the Indian culture. In India, falling in love with a person of another caste or religion is still not widely accepted by society. The consequences can range from a sound thrashing, being ostracised by family and society and in some cases even death. In most of the recorded cases, the victim belongs to the younger generation, whereas the assaulter(s) is an aged individual or mob. While a young adult, influenced by western ideologies and lifestyle tries to imitate it in his/her life accordingly, the older generation is often tied to age-old customs and refuses to tread the path of progress. The former believes in personal space and freedom of opinion whereas the latter engages in ‘rectifying’ the wrong doings of the society.
Contrary to the general perception, moral policing is not limited to any one political party. Despite the long-standing women’s movement, patriarchy remains deeply entrenched in India, influencing its political structure, social institutions and determining the opportunities to women and men. Rigid cultures and patriarchal attitudes which devalue the role of women, result in the wide spread occurrence of violence against women. The supremacy of morality begins and ends with the female, control of whose sexuality is crucial to patriarchal forces. Those who infringe upon these moral codes are dealt with extreme violence. The process of democratization and opening of economic opportunities has altered the power dynamics in the relation between man and woman. In an age which is socially and legally changing drastically, women are vocal about exercising their rights, confident of their mobility thus challenging the patriarchal values. The typical image of a ‘good woman’ is still one who upholds the honour of the family and maintains the ‘culture of silence’. These patriarchal cultural values were transmitted from generation to generation to keep women subservient to the men. Many of the actions associated with moral policing are based on strong beliefs and not hard data. All these lead women into negotiating her identity of an individual human being having equal rights in a democratic set up.
Numerous symbolic and material violence’s are also inflicted to women who are categorised as ‘women living outside the norm’ “Protecting the modesty” of girls is something that colleges and hostel wardens take it upon themselves to do, female hostellers have said. There have been many incidents of moral policing in our country, more so ever to secure vote banks or to act as "protectors" of the Indian culture. Political parties always seem to be at the helm of moral policing, indulging in ridiculous acts with their leaders
4 making outrageous statements. Other than political parties, pressure groups, vigilante groups, or even police are seen to be indulging in such acts. India is a country where there is an influx of mindsets living under one roof, so conflicts are inevitable.
Vandalizing, filing defamation cases, lawsuits, self-immolation are some of the ridiculous acts that these groups have resorted to following a particular incident. This usually leads to instability, violence, and inconvenience not only on the part of the general population but also the governmental machinery. We live in a nation where there's a major problem when it comes to intolerance and this also comes into the play with the laws. There is no law in India that stops an unmarried couple from booking a hotel room as long as you are consenting adults. As an adult who can consent, you can legally book a hotel room provided you have a government-approved identity card which the hotel can keep a copy of for their records. You need not worry about all those people who try to moral police you and scare you by saying that it's illegal but sitting with a girl whether it’s a friend or not some gazes surely pierce you sure in India.
MORAL POLICING IN KERALA Kerala is increasingly getting caught in the quagmire of moral policing of different shades. Outsiders may find it unbelievable that such things happen in Kerala. But what they don't know is that Kerala has always been regressive when it comes to moral codes, the state might race ahead in terms of education but the psychological health of people seems not to grow matching these high standards. Despite efforts, random incidents of moral policing continue to be reported from across the state. The interventions being made by the state government to make the city safe for couples and women turn futile when the police themselves adopt moral policing and prevent victims from registering complaints legally. Over the past few months, Kerala has made national headlines for increasing incidents of moral policing in the state. From colleges choking the freedom of students to nosy neighbours taking the law into their hands, moral policing has been spreading its ugly tentacles across the state. Two people who were harassed by mobs who uphold “culture" they then committed suicide, unable to bear the humiliation. These are the sad realities of living in Kerala, touted to be one of the most progressive and literate states in India.
Mob attacks have become a regular incident in Malappuram, with the latest being the fourth of its kind. "Mob attacks are increasing here. Such incidents should not be entertained. The district is going into a dangerous situation wherein
5 even married couples cannot travel freely without their marriage certificate," said the local resident of Arecode. Not just Malappuram the cases regarding moral policing has been on a hike across every district in Kerala. Even brutal life taking scenarios has taken place in places like Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram etc. Young couples have been bearing the brunt of moral policing for a while now and the situation can at times escalate into a violent one with the victims being scarred for life. It is to be noted that moral policing and harassment in the name of ‘culture’ is a crime in India and such anti-social elements must be brought to justice. Even there have been instances when women with their son are alleged immoral by the moral policing people in Thiruvananthapuram, where the state higher officials do their duty.
Kerala is often regarded as a state where women have achieved much, going by the indicators of social development, but we have also become painfully aware of the intense hostility, even among progressive groups, to women’s mobility, freedom of speech, and indeed, towards their right to be full citizens. We believe that it is the duty of a progressive government, led by Left parties, and of college teachers, who cannot slip away from the commitment to Indian democracy, to work towards ameliorating women’s unfreedoms. This is indeed a responsibility that cannot be abandoned without sacrificing the claim to be on the political left altogether. There has been problem associated with the techies and police in the capital of the state. The techno park people are often questioned by the police regarding their morality in the night. They were of the opinion that the do night shifts because of the need to move their family forward. But the situation that the face during the night from the police side too bad.
Based on an incident that happened in techno park between the police and the employer the techies raised many demands such as Provide personality development classes to cops so that they learn how to behave properly. Make clear guidelines for employees arriving without ID card. Stop moral policing, See security lapses as a security issue and not as law and order issue. Transfer officers who harassed them in public. The employees are willing to cooperate with security checks, but they say they will protest if cops’ resort to moral policing. Looking at the recent incidents, they say that cops should be ready to make amends. They also say that they do not have problem with officers who do their duty and also said that there are also hardworking officers among one who are posted in techno park. The conviction rate of moral policing in Kerala is dismally low. However, the police say that the refusal of the victims to file a complaint is the reason behind the lower moral policing case charging.
6 Despite voices speaking up against these unacceptable acts, March has already seen one such incident, with members of the Shiv Sena chasing away youngsters who were spending time at Kochi's Marine Drive. But these incidents are beyond party affiliations. The left, the right and everyone in the middle have indulged in moral policing at different points in time and it is the state which has had to hang its head in shame. “No matter whatever your stand is if people find in immoral or obscene way according to their perception who will be questioned, if you don’t dress according to the culture or grow hair beyond the limit who would summon and even be suspended” said renowned activist from Kerala.
FAMOUS MORAL POLICING INCIDENTS TIMELINE
The nation over last two decades has witnessed a series of cases that shook the nation. From 2000 till date there has been only a hike in the moral policing rate comments and acquisitions. In December 2006, an obscenity case was filed against Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Biocon India Chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw for allegedly kissing at a public function. The lawsuit came after newspapers published the pictures of a cheek-to-cheek air kiss from a peculiar angle. 2009 Mangalore pub attack: On 24 January 2009, members of the Sri Ram Sena barged into the pub "Amnesia – The Lounge" in Mangalore, Karnataka, and beat up a group of young women and men, claiming the women should not be drinking in a public place. 2012 Mangalore homestay attack: On 28 July 2012, activists belonging to the Hindu Jagarana Vedike attacked a birthday party at an unlicensed homestay in Mangalore, Karnataka. The 12 people at the party, including 5 girls, were allegedly beaten, stripped and molested. The faces of some girls were blackened. The activists claimed the youngsters were consuming alcohol and were involved in "some indecent activities". On 23 October 2014, a restaurant in Kozhikode was attacked and vandalised. The attackers claimed that eatery was facilitating immoral activities. The attack came after a local Malayalam-language TV channel broadcast a report claiming that some coffee shops and restaurants in Kozhikode had become centres of "immoral activities".
On 14 July 2015, a Madhyamam Daily journalist and her husband were attacked by a group at her office. They did not accept that they were married. The police arrived before the incident escalated. Later, a Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader was arrested for leading the attack. In 2016, a man was killed in Mankada, Malappuram, Kerala for visiting his girlfriend in the night. The victim was a 42-year-old man called Nazeer from the same locality. Around three in the morning some of his neighbors spotted him in a house where a woman was living alone. They attacked him and killed as an act of moral
7 policing. Kerala police have arrested three persons in connection with this incident. Colleges and universities enforce a dress code on their students, usually restricting girls from wearing Western clothing. The rationale behind such restriction has been stated that such clothes attracts "eve-teasing". In the state of Kerala, a public hugging and kissing campaign by name 'Kiss of Love' was launched in protest against moral policing on 2 November 2014.Similar events were later organized in Delhi, Kolkata, and various other cities.
Apart from these major incidences there are still moral policing activities continuing in our society. And a survey conducted by the news minute online daily based on their contest to reveal moral policing stories says that once in your lifetime majority of the people have went through some sorts of moral policing, as these types morality guiding has always been a part of the Indian society.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM India's current transition is a complicated one. India is moving drastically from a traditional set of values to more liberalized modern ones. There are bound to be patrons on each side and the general pleb population is averse to change. On the other hand, you have the young rebels who dispose of the traditional values and become disciples of the modern ones. Since the basic idea is that modernization is a practice propounded by the west, this turns into a conflict between the western culture and the Indian culture. Modern man has been compelled to decree from the Indian values and ethos because of the dominance of the western culture.
Moral Policing is not uncommon in our society, n the past few years, India has seen so many cases of moral policing. The people who are involved in moral police gangs think that they are preserving their culture because they think that due to the spread of the western culture the Indian culture needs protection. But these people are mistaken about what the Indian culture actually is. The Indian culture is not against love. So why do these people attack couple? India is a democratic country. Every person has the right to live their life in their own way. If a person loves someone why do other people have a problem with them? And if they have a problem, they still do not have any right to humiliate the couple or attack them. Young couples have been attacked, humiliated, beaten, got their faces blackened, just because they loved each other. Is loving someone a crime? Even the Indian law gives an adult person the right to get married to the person of his or her own choice. No one can be forcefully married to someone. If the law is not against love marriages or marriages in different communities why do people make a scene of it? There are cases in which
8 people became victims of moral policing just because of a doubt. Without getting the full knowledge about the case, the moral police groups attacked them. There are also cases in which women have been victims of moral policing because of their dressing sense. There many groups which are against the western dress code for girls. They think that the girls should wear only Indian dresses.
According to them, wearing jeans, skirts, tunics, shorts, or frocks attract men. They also say that if a man misbehaves with a lady, then the lady is at the fault due to her dress code. Such groups target people whom they believe to be “immoral” or “against Indian culture”. Here's the catch though, morality is subjective, it has no bounds. Your sense of right and wrong might be completely different for another person, or some things may also fall under the moral grey area. Therefore, morality is at a constant struggle with other person's perception of morality leading to various challenges, quarrels, debates frequently. There have been 2 extents of moral policing in India violent and non- violent means, the reported cases mainly resort to violent groups that use violent methods but to a large deep rooted one is the nonviolence means of moral policing that given individuals that reside families, institutional authorities and governmental officials. it is argued these moral policing people try to impose their cultural notions on the people they conceive to be obscene or of immoral conduct.
There are violent groups among these moral policing people who try to harm people who are unaware or unwillingly to conform to their cultural aspects. Incidents of manslaughting and abuse has been reported against these people, in most cases the harm has been caused due to obscenity, it is to be noted that ‘obscenity’ has no definite definition. The reporter who captured the incident of moral policing of a mother and son incident which went viral said that A good majority of the public are unaware of the fact that moral policing is a punishable crime. The condition in the state is not so different even with high literacy rate and female sex ratio, Kerala has also been prone to moral policing. Apart from vigilante groups, moral policing instances has been carried out from side of respective authorities and officials.
Many incidents have gone viral in the social medias such as Pink Police asking for affidavit to college students for their parent’s concern. An engineering student resorted to suicide due to alleged harassment from the college staff. Students being beaten up for being together in the campus and institutions imposing fine on students for
9 growing long hair and beards. Online medias, reputed personalities and victims has remarked that the individual liberties have been trembled. Artists remarks that their freedom of expression through their works have been on a losing edge because of such moral judgements.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM
In the light of many reported cases in the nation and many unreported, it has to be taken into consideration that moral policing has become a hot debate in the country. Some category of people feel that their individual freedom has become everyone’s business in the society, while some category takes up the responsibility of upholding the Indian culture. It is to be noted that Kerala is increasingly getting caught in the quagmire of moral policing of different shades. There have been many incidents of moral policing in our country, more so ever to secure vote banks or to act as "protectors" of the Indian culture. Political parties always seem to be at the helm of moral policing, indulging in ridiculous acts with their leaders making outrageous statements. Other than political parties, pressure groups, vigilante groups, or even police are seen to be indulging in such acts. There is a wide umbrella of activities that the groups disapprove of, be it public displays of affection, alcohol, partying in pubs and many more.
Basically, a wide array of activities that were supposedly brought about by the western world, making it an extreme polarization between ours and theirs. Incidents of Vandalizing, filing defamation cases, lawsuits, self-immolation are some of the ridiculous acts of violent groups have resorted to following a particular incident. This usually leads to instability, violence, and inconvenience not only on the part of the general population but also the governmental machinery. In a span of 5 years there has been a number of national and statewide social movements carried out against “Moral Policing” like Hug of love (2014), Hug against fascism (2015), kiss of love (2013) etc. These were carried as a protest and as a representation for the victims of moral policing, there exists a uncertainty regarding the experiences of the victims, and might happened to them during and post these incidents. On the light of such events there exist a need to study the Moral Policing experience of the victims, here is where this study has its significance.
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CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Literature review is always advocated before journeying on any research. The sole aim of this exercise is to add more wisdom to already existing wealth of wisdom. Literature review helps everybody to understanding all the elements of the subject and the various manifestations of the topic under consideration. A review of existing insights and acumen of information assists the researcher in proceeding in the right direction and to understand the dynamics of the topic more precisely. Most importantly, review of literature plays a major role in identifying the gaps in the previous research. It is always a motto of any researcher to improve earlier findings and validate further aspects of a subject.
A Close analysis of the moral policing in the country, the writer uses the term ‘Moral Policing’ to describe individuals, authoritative people, vigilante groups which act to enforce a code of morality in India without legal authority (Santhosh Kumar,2008).
As it is considered that culture plays an important role in moral policing, Bhoje tries to point out the conflict between Indian and western culture through his work, he considers Indian culture as very unique culture and has various practices. But because of westernization the youth of India do not believe in the traditional aspects, the culture will vary with time and will not be traditional anymore. India becoming a truly global environment in terms of economy, food and culture but what does it take to make sure our youth do not forget the richness of being Indian is a serious matter of question (Bhoje, 2015).
A theatre artist who gave her opinion on the topic “the need for moral policing” also pointed out the problems that is taking place in our society regarding culture valued moral policing, she also points that Our body has energies and sexual energy is the basic and primitive one, which is expressed through forms such as love. It becomes difficult when one is denied from expressing it. In this case, why wasn’t the senior citizen able to take it positively? Moral policing also happens when offenders forget the fact that all are human beings, not cultural elements. Even the culture they uphold, once accepted diversity in sexuality. As a theatre person she believes that individual correction is the way to tackle it. Our educational system and psychological institutions should change their modes accordingly. (Hima Shankar, 2018).
In this article the writer points out the oppression faced by consenting individuals in the society in name of “culture”. She lashes out her points by raising her arguments like, holding on to archaic (cultural) values is a sign of resisting change, it’s like a petulant child refusing to go to school. Certain elements in our society have voluntarily taken up the job to safeguard our 11 culture against western influence and save our youth from corruption. It’s that time of the year again and they are set for their yearly gig – moral policing on Valentine’s Day. Just like every year they will accomplish this task by identifying public spots infested with lovers (read consenting adults) and commit acts of violence because they feel angry and hurt at their ‘immoral conduct’ (Richa Tyagi, 2019).
In a discussion conducted by the deccan chronicle on the topic “does moral policing has a good intention”. A social activist said that we have the right to individual freedom and personal choice and no one can come in between that. The assault can be painted in many ways and political workers can get away with anything and because of this, law and order are breaking down. The assaulter did this probably because of the social pressure that is building, which in no way justifies that. The laws in our country are so backward and regressive that they should either be changed or removed. (Sandeep Aiykam, 2018).
In the same debate another panelist a famous academician and author pointed about the types of moral policing and the need for the protection of individuals in the public. He pointed out that There are two types of policing physical and moral. Between the two, you create a system of coercion where any change in body language is viewed with suspicion. If two people hold hands or appear affectionate, they are ‘susceptible’ to punishment. This kind of censoring of behaviour in public is uncalled for. Couples are harassed when society assumes the role of policemen. This has to stop. As long as the couple is not violating any law or norms of decency, they should be left alone. No one can dictate another person’s freedom in public space or their relationship choices (Shiv Visvanathan, 2019).
In India, Moral Policing mostly happens when trying to prevent an obscene act so there is indeed a need to understand term closely. The difficulties begin with the definition of the word "obscene." According to Lockhart& McClure in most, if not all, of those states which have statutes relating to “obscenity” the term is defined by adding one or more of the following words: disgusting, filthy, indecent, immoral, impure, lascivious, lewd, licentious, and vulgar. These words have no objective meaning." Dictionaries often define them in terms of one another." They achieve reality only "through assumed standards of social sexual behaviour or assumed theories of cause-and-effect”. In practice, therefore, the only meaning any of these terms can have is that given them by the material so described. To this extent, the law of obscenity is the sum of the cases tried with respect to it. It is not until a particular book or other
12 type of literature is declared by the courts to be "obscene" that one is able to define the definition, and then only as to a particular set of facts (Lockhart &McClure 1984).
This article provides an insight into the interpretation of obscenity. It states that The provision of the law that the moral police feed on is Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which states that “whoever, to the annoyance of others, a) does any obscene act in any public place, or b) sings, recites or utters any obscene songs, ballad or word, in or near any public place, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both. What is interesting is that the most critical element of this provision, obscenity, is not defined. Which means that whether or not a couple kissing in a public place is an “obscene act" is entirely a matter of interpretation. The author states that our nation, and its criminal justice system, is fully capable of acting in a sane manner when confronted with attempted abuse of the law. It is a different matter, though, that our secular police frequently sides with the moral police. (G.Sampath,2014)
While trying to understand the concept of Moral Policing in the nation a proper understanding of the terms such as morality and immorality is important. According to Stanford Encyclopedia based on studies of morality theory they have defined a standard definition for morality. Morality can be a body of standards or principles derived from a code of conduct from a particular philosophy, religion or culture, or it can derive from a standard that a person believes should be universal (Stanford University,2011).Anita Nair refers Immorality as the active opposition to morality (i.e. which is good or right), is variously defined as an unawareness of, indifference toward, or disbelief in any particular set of moral standards or principles in her work.(Anita,2009).
When we talk about the term ‘Morality’ it is often said that there exists a ideology of ones perspective in it. This article also mentions this understanding the writer says that logically speaking nobody can tell anyone what’s right and what’s wrong. Hence the criticism of Moral Policing arises. To decide whether someone is committing a crime or not is the job of judiciary. The judiciary refers to the constitution. There is no mention of such policing in the constitution. So legally speaking, this anti Romeo squad, vigilant groups and people who advocates moral policing seems unconstitutional (Rohit Bapat,2015).
In general, it is considered in the country that the coming of the western culture has hampered the Indian culture to some extend and this has also contributed to increase in moral policing rates e.g, pub attack by vigilante groups. According to Gupta and Bajpai, while giving a closer
13 look to the Western impact lasting changes can be seen Indian society and culture. Westernization buried Indianans to a great extent as it introduced sophistication in food, dress and manners. The new technologies, institutions, knowledge, values and temper which the British people had brought with them, transformed the Indian society and culture a lot. Due to Western impact, India was more progressive in out-look and attitude (Gupta and Bajpai,2016).
In this article the writer tries to analyse situation of moral policing in the nation and the things that are considered to be moral and oppressive. She says that February, the month of love, the month of Valentine’s day and also inevitably the month of “Moral Policing”. Each year with Valentine’s day comes back the horror of moral policing. Not like it ceases to exist otherwise. The debate, whether Valentine’s day is an example of how the western culture is eating away our Indian culture is revisited. It is time we address moral policing not just when Valentine’s day is around the corner. We need to talk about all those subtle forms of power and violence subjected on women and sexual minorities in colleges, homes and public spaces, basically everywhere and all the time. For instance, students, mostly girls, who live in college hostels have to face the brunt of patriarchal rules and regulations that college authorities come up with (Tribeni Pegu, 2017).
The coming of age technology is also considered to be a reason for the declined faith in Indian culture and thereby imposing restriction on individual to uphold the Indian culture. The article gives a deep insight into the growth of information technology and the drastic change that it has given India. The information shared across the world through the web, Skype, Twitter, and Face book have helped to make the absorption of different cultures. Indian culture and Western culture have embraced a sort of cultural exchange with one another, whereby both have absorbed aspects of each. Taking of good things from other is good but it does not mean we completely forget our values. According to the present scenario Indian society has been declined religiously and adopting Western culture (Kaur,2010).
Unmarried relationship maintaining people has been prey to moral policing in different parts of the nation says relevant media sources so there indeed lies the need for clarity regarding relationship and the Indian society and culture, the writers comment that the Indian youth are both spoiled and enhanced by the greater involvement of western culture in Indian culture. In twenty first century Indian youth has been continuously dishonored. Because of the structure of true love in lover’s relationship is not defined clearly. Some section of the society believes that marriage is the institution that holds true love. In every segment of society westernization
14 came with changes. Both positive and negative impact is seen from the westernization of Indian culture (Chuchra and Kaur,2016).
In this article the writer points out about the problems that people face in the public places due to moral policing. She describes that social tyranny, in the form of controlling the lives of others, has been the norm in India for decades. Public display of affection is a taboo. Urinating in public is perfectly ok, but kissing is not. We should all hang our heads in shame with the knowledge that ours is society that doesn’t protect couples from the moral police, and consists of people who often show solidarity with rapists. We call ourselves modern, but our regressive character crawls out from time-to-time when we try to satisfy our urge to control people.
In an article written by a student in Jamia Islamia University based on the topic “Do we need moral policing”. She points out important things that attaches religion with moral policing. She says that our culture where temples with carved erotic sculptures exist, union of Ling and Yoni is considered holy and where Raaslilla between a deity with many females is considered pleasurable and where drinking alcoholic drinks on certain festivals is part of our religious culture. We should realize that India is a secular and democratic country where people belonging to different religious groups and beliefs live together. We cannot force our beliefs on others. Every individual of this nation has the right to live her or his life according to their wishes. If inhuman activities like moral policing are not stopped immediately then a day is not far when this beautiful nation of ours will be ruled by a religious group who will snatch away our freedom. Remember it’s our life, our culture and we should be vigilant enough to preserve our freedoms. (Madiha Musarrat, 2015)
There exists the need of understanding the gravity of the topic in the state before carrying out the research. These comments from social commenters from the state gives firmness to the existence of the concept and its relevance in the society. One of them says that outsiders may find it unbelievable that such things happen in Kerala. But what they don't know is that Kerala has always been regressive when it comes to moral codes When you are prone to consider sex as sin, these issues are bound to happen (Elizabeth Koshy,2014). The second person says that the Indian patriarchal mindset that has not been corrected through social engineering down the ages while other social aspects in Kerala became modernized, Men are still torchbearers of this moral policing in the state (Paul Zacharia,2017).
The denial of basic individual rights is believed by some sections of the society as another aspect of moral policing, the article throws light on that area they say that the roots of moral
15 policing were laid down in the very essence of the idea that the Indian culture needs to be ‘protected’ from falling prey to the vices of the western culture. Wearing what you want to wear in a country which fought for its freedom for a good part of two hundred years is going to open the gates for the hypocrites of the 21st century to barge in and beat you black and blue without any qualms or regret of the violation of your own privacy or the very basic of the human rights (Amit Jaswal and Manvi Singh,2017).
In response to an incident of moral policing in the state that took the life of an individual, the police chief of the state said to the media that the police should not only prevent illegal actions like moral policing, but also take prompt action against perpetrators with firmness when such activities are noticed or brought to their notice (D.G.P. Loknath Behra, 2017).
Meanwhile, acknowledging the fact that there has been mishandling of women reported in cases of moral policing in the state, the authors tries to point out certain limitations that women experiences in Kerala often regarded as a state where women have achieved much, going by the indicators of social development. We have also become painfully aware of the intense hostility, even among progressive groups, to women’s mobility, freedom of speech, and indeed, towards their right to be full citizens (Uma Chakravarthi,2015). Moral policing is mostly about defending traditional control over women and not so much about public decency, whose limits change over time. Kissing could be both a blessing and a curse for Kerala’s women: Some have used the Kiss of Love protests to demand gender equality, but the demonstrations have also reportedly elicited online rape threats (Taniya Basu, 2018).
Moral policing incidents are also relevant in the institutional and academic circles where knowledge and practicality has a upper hand, based on certain moral policing activities in the academic, institutional sectors and among young teenagers in Kerala, famous historian in his article says that the normal human behaviour of greeting one another is not to be interpreted always in other terms. Normal behaviour should enable boys and girls to see each other as human beings. Instead of that, an atmosphere is created where they look at each other differently. He recommends for an open society (Prof. K N Panikkar,2016).
In this article a high school girl briefly narrates about the problem that she has to face from her school authorities. To jot up the things in her article she says that ‘Modern’ education is adding to the problem of gender-related crimes and it needs to stop. Like many other girls in our education system she is also tired of being treated as an object and being grateful for something as basic as education. Schools and colleges are supposed to be places which empower students
16 and help them break free from social and economic shackles. However, our academic settings much like our families – teach female students to uphold family honour instead of teaching them independence or supporting their ambition. We are policed for the kinds of clothes we wear, interrogated about our relationships with men and asked to maintain physical distance from peers. On top of that, there is the constant threat of being expelled if we don’t comply with the exhausting list of rules set imposed on us. I am tired of living with the constant fear of punishment for breaking one of your arbitrary rules about what defines right and wrong. Students deserve better. The world’s moving forward rapidly, you should keep up. (Misbah Ansari,2019)
When we talk about moral policing in the Kerala society there exists the need for addressing the conflict existing among conservatives and young generation ,this article has provided insights into this area as it says that the popular ideologies of morality, sexuality, gender, tradition, values, etc. are in a transformation phase, and trying to fetch a new meaning and manifestation in the Kerala society especially for the last two decades. But conservatives who uphold the tradition and customs of Kerala always question the rampant westernization of the society. A cultural conflict is visible in every field of life in Kerala society. Among adherents of Hindutva, a conservative ideology that equates Indian identity with Hindu values, kissing in public is anti-Hindu and therefore, as one conservative former minister said on numerous occasions well before the current protests started, he remarks that public kissing is just not Indian (Aneesh K.U,2018).
Recently the supreme court of India in a landmark judgment ruled that the right to privacy as a fundamental right which emerges primarily from the guarantee of life and personal liberty in article 21 of the Indian constitution. As a response to judgement the author says that the judgment has taken a historic step by declaring that the Indian constitution contains the right to privacy, embedded in long established fundamental rights including individual dignity, liberty and freedom of expression, But this does not give you the right to do whatever you want in a public place. As stated earlier, private things should be done in private places. But still, to stop something moral policing is not the way. Moral policing is immoral (Ganga Viswanath,2015).
The writer in his book narrates his journey from Mangalore to Udupi where he have seen the sites of right wing fundamentalist violence, within the context of what in Kerala is touted as “ Moral policing”, he also says that it will be interesting to see how it can be related to the
17 diverse practices of religiosity across the ethnic and often anti Brahmanical religious lines. (Eric Denis, 2017)
This article also connects moral policing with patriarchy, anti-women and feudal. The article points out that the people supporting morality and moral policing are not numb towards punishable legally articulate crimes. While when they see couple’s mere togetherness, they cannot tolerate it as they find it polluting the society. The atmosphere that these squads create pushes society once again into dark times, where sexes should be segregated, where women are treated as symbols of honour, and have to adhere to orthodox cultural norms of good and dignified behaviour. It is this very atmosphere that breeds patriarchal notions of women, which promotes violent crimes against women, both at home and outside. (The Asian age, 2017)
In this article the writer tries to point out the slut shaming that girls in the society have to face because of the clothes they chose to wear in the public. The article also throws light into the patriarchal ideology that tries to enforce rigid gender roles and stereotyped behaviour patterns and further enforce the gender binary. Along with that, it also attempts to establish and reinforce a controlling mechanism on women. They refuse to see women not comply with it or break away from it. The concept of slut-shaming is one of patriarchy’s greatest weapons against women. (Prakshi Saha, 2018)
The article written by a post graduate student describes about the incident that she had to face in her own college. The Vice Principal, of a social science institution made a degrading comment and compared her to a transgender just because she was wearing lipstick. She says that reality could be that sad at times. So yes, there is an element of patriarchy is moral policing as the woman even in that scenario is more prone than that of a man. (Students Blog, 2019)
Although the Kerala High Court had recently come out against discriminatory rules against students regarding timings and hostel rules, they are still far from gone in reality. Hostel wardens won’t allow them to stay back in college, even for the sake of their final year project. On light such events students showed their dissatisfaction through article one such that come in the Indian express says that, it’s as if the authorities and society are all working hand in hand to limit the opportunities of women. College should be a place where every student has the freedom to study, live and explore. Rules and regulations should aim to free the students from discrimination and moral policing, not endow them with it. (Harsha KR,2018)
On the light of continuous moral policing activity in the district both small and large, The District Collector of Kozhikode Prashanth Nair in his open press meet said that little bit of
18 control is necessary in the general attitude of the people based on the series of incident that took place in Kozhikode in 2019.He also asserted that no one is assigned in upholding the moral values in this country. There is nothing ‘moral’ about these incidents. It is getting into someone’s private space which is against Indian constitution as it facilitates everyone with individual freedom. Women are still seen as a commodity, and moral police negate the fact that women have their desires, choices and likes of their own. we need to change as a society. Rather than saying that we are regressive, it should be considered that we are in a state of flux, let’s hope that change happen soon.
In a statement made by S. Sreejith, IGP crimes Kerala to the press in 2017, he says that women is not allowed to decide whom to sleep while a man is allowed in Kerala, the social stigma on women is more when she dare to make such a decision, even when we come across clips of moral policing on social media the victims of the incident doesn’t come up with valid complaint to police, the only reason for which is the lack of support from the families for the victims.
In this article the author argues about the importance of women’s presence in public spaces and the article describes that Spaces are gendered. Spaces are based on class. Spaces are based on caste. Spaces call for heated debates on who dominates them. In India (as well in other countries across the world), spaces are largely structured in a way that makes some people feel marginalised and, simultaneously, some people feel emboldened. Going back to the time when the world was dominated by agricultural and hunting-gathering tribes, we can say that men and women had almost equal access to the public spaces, even though there was a systematic division of labour. Since the industrial revolution and rise of capitalism, the division of labour has given rise to a public space that has been contested in terms of dominance and ease of access. caste is an intrinsic factor that reigns over the Indian society, women’s access to public spaces has been largely based on this factor. Hence, for the women of non-dominant castes, the experience in public spaces have been different from the women belonging to the dominant castes. For the dominant castes, it has always been about preserving the “purity” of their women, which is practised by making them stay at home and adhering to numerous social norms. The ‘purdah system’ was a typical practice of the dominant castes, by virtue of which they claimed to be ‘protecting their women’ and keeping them away from getting ‘polluted’. (Orpheus Sen, 2018)
In this article the author talks about the influence and interconnection of patriarchy, moral policing and gender roles. Gender segregation and patriarchal values are seemed to be taught
19 from a young age. While educational institutions in the rest of the world are trying to catch up with advancements in science and technology, it’s the religion that plays a central role here, with patriarchy and sexism being side actors. The author also states about the Indian schools trying to reinforce gender roles and attribute the stereotypes as God’s words. (Sushmitha Ramakrishnan, 2019)
Moral Policing has now seen in a new form of patriarchy, with women as propagators and the medium, a way they seem to have taken out of long suppression. Moral policing is carried out in the name of certain social organisations or a ‘civil society’, most commonly under the umbrella of women groups. these women organisations would be alerted by people in case of any information of such ‘immoral behaviour’, or ‘illicit relations’ within the community or society. The legal aspect of moral policing is one thing, but what have come out in such incident is the ridicule of women groups, and the remarks such as “women are against women” or “women are the worst enemy of women”. Even though in recent times such moral policing has happened spontaneously, without any organisation leading, women’s organisations would be automatically drawn into criticisms and ridiculing by so called progressives at large. (Women web, 2019)
As far as the state is concerned there still exists the question whether moral policing is needed or not with a few groups voicing in favour, while others against it but still a section of the society thinks raising of voices against such activities has increased the questioning tendency of the state which is a good sign, the article of few authors also upholds that way of thinking, they say that even though moral policing cases are on a rise, while many of them are being reported. What was not addressed before is happening now which is a good signal. we can progress only step by step, not to shoot liberation in one leap. Let voices be raised (Khyrunnisa,2017). We should try to find the root cause of all this instead of blaming a few people, the so called moral policing is not righteous, they are just the repressed, society gives them the sanction as if we are repressed as a whole, there is a perverted sexuality in this moral policing.(Murali Gopy,2017).
As per the literature presented above which was gathered with help of primary and secondary sources, and after having proper examination of the literature the researcher came to know more details regarding moral policing and the different concepts that play a vital role in moral policing. A closer examination of the literature reveals that moral policing was carried over decades in the society, and after identifying the significance of the
20 issue there has been comments, agitations and recommendations from authoritative people, social activists and common people. From the above literature the relevance of the topic in the society, and the intensity of the topic could also be understood, the literature helped the researcher understand about the different sensational cases of moral policing in the nation and in Kerala state and about the different movements that was associated with moral policing. The governmental responsibility to instigate actions against violent moral policing groups was discussed elaborately in the literature. The opinions of government officials is also recorded in the literature regarding the issue of moral policing. Still there has been certain unavailability statistical data and scholarly studies based on the concept of Moral Policing, therefore the researcher had to rely on statistics available for general purpose to some extent. This present study is a qualitative study which looks into the experiences of moral policing victims. Definitely there is a need for an in-depth analysis on the experiences of moral policing victims. As it is a relevant topic in society, the study has the scope to fill the gaps between the existing knowledge.
21
CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
METHODOLOGY Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques used to identify, select, process, and analyse information about a topic. Thus, in this chapter we go through how the research was approached - the orientation of the research, the topic under study, the design employed to study the topic, the general and specific research questions, the data collection techniques etc.
APPROACH – QUALITATIVE STUDY The topic under concern was subjective in its orientation. The population of the study constitutes the victims of moral policing. Qualitative research was preferred as the researcher has no idea what to expect from the subject. Qualitative approach provides a depth of understanding to the researcher which is difficult to gain from a closed question survey. Respondents are able to freely disclose their experiences, thoughts and feelings without constraint.
TITLE OF STUDY
MORAL POLICING ATTITUDES IN THE SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY ON THE EXPERIENCES OF DIFFERENT MORAL POLICING VICTIMS IN THIRUVANATHAPURAM. The research is aimed at exploring the experiences of moral policing victims in the society. Those people who were involved in different situations of moral policing.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS The researcher approached the respondents bearing some random questions in mind. The review of literature was useful for the researcher to understand the topic and to ask some basic questions to the respondents to start up the things. Such abstract question mainly involved the situation that caused the incident, the exact location and the reason for the reaction of the opposite people etc.
General Research Questions 1. Describe the experience that the respondent incurred during and after the incident?
22 Specific Research Questions 1. What all problems did they face in the society after the incident? 2. What is their take on morality, and moral notions of the people who interfered them? 3. Do they find these actions affecting their individual freedom? 4. Is there a need for individual or people’s checking on other individuals for the proper wellbeing of the society? 5. Do you think there is stereotyping of women taking place in the society? 6. Do you think there is patriarchal influence in moral policing? 7. Do you think that there is any need for moral policing in the society? 8. What is your opinion on moral consciousness in the society? 9. Did get enough support from your family following the incident? 10. Do you think typecasting affecting individual freedom? 11. What is your opinion on the authoritative imposing of social norms on women?
CASE STUDY The researcher followed a case study design for the study. The topic demanded an in depth understanding of the victim’s experiences endured due to moral policing. Therefore, the researcher has taken into consider 5 cases for case study each as single cases.
METHOD OF STUDY
Unstructured interview was the method used in the study. The study demanded the face to face interactions to bring out the different and peculiar experiences of people who has underwent moral policing.
TOOLS FOR DATA COLLECTION Researcher had applied an interview guide in order to facilitate the interview. It included some basic themes based on the research questions formulated beforehand. The themes included the questions related to 1. Morality and Moral notions 2. Patriarchal influence in moral policing. 3. Stereotyping of women in society. 4. Experiences of going through moral policing situations.
23 SELECTION OF THE CASE The cases were selected through snow ball sampling, the researcher was familiar with 1-2 persons who underwent this incident and with help of social media and through peer groups and respondents the researcher was able to get to the rest of the respondents.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
• Time constraint was one of the major limitations for the study. Even though the research began before the pandemic “COVID-19”, due to the pandemic there was certain restrictions for going to field work. • Openness of the respondents, it took more sittings to persuade a few respondents to reveal the exact feeling so that the real experiences can deciphered.
24
CHAPTER 4
CASE PRESENTATION
CASE PRESENTATION
CASE 1
“A” is an IT professional, Vlogger and Travel enthusiast. He is 32 years old. He resides in Trivandrum. The incident that he narrates here happened when he had travelled to Kottiyoor, Palukachimala, Kannur, with his family. It is a renowned tourist spot in Kerala. He spoke out that the incident happened on their way back from the tourist spot. His vehicle was stopped by a gang of local residents and began to alleged issues upon them. Slowly the crowd began to gather and they were surrounded by 10-20 local residents. He describes the situation like this,
“They stopped my car because they found that there were 3boys and a girl inside my car. In fact, the boys were my cousin and the girl was my wife. While I was talking to them, they changed their voice tone from soft to assertive and they said that they wanted to know the details regarding my marriage confirmation from my parents or else they were not ready to leave me and my family.”
He remarked that it was the most embarrassing moment in his life to confirm that his wife was his legitimate pair to some strangers. The local residents then called the police and the respondent describes the situation that happened when the police arrived at the situation.
“I had a feeling that now justice would be served and we could leave when the police arrived at the scene but what happened was the opposite. I addressed in an improper way by the police official and said that don’t you know that you are not supposed come with your family in the night to this place. Actually, it was just 7 pm and we were on our way back from the place. I felt really gutted by the response from the police official.”
When asked about the family support he said “My family and friends were my strength they gave the courage to open out against such cruel happenings in the society.”
They were allowed to leave from the place after their parents confirmed their marriage, he said that there was no manhandling from the crowd. Yet, the situation was quite unbearable. He concluded the narration by voicing that,
“They had no right to intervene his liberty, they could have questioned him if he had done any illicit activities, but there was no such thing in the scene.”
25 CASE 2
“B” is an IT professional in Trivandrum. She permanently resides in Kundara, Kollam district. She stays in Pattom, Trivandrum as part of her job. She is 28 years old. The incident that she narrates happened when she was returning from her colleague’s birthday party in Kollam. The vehicle in which she travelled had her husband and his disabled friend. She describes the situation as,
“The vehicle in which we were returning stopped in the midway, and my husband was checking the complaint of the vehicle. His friend and me were inside the car. After 15 minutes, 4 people who were watching us from the nearby banyan tree approached our car. They began to question my husband and one of them peeped inside the car and began to hurl abuse upon me and my husband’s friend.”
Soon the situation changed and they began to manhandle them, they were all drunk she exclaimed. When she began to film the situation, they manhandle her and snatch her phone. Annoyed from the situation her husband’s friend called the police. She said that 1-2 nearby residents came and separated them. Local residents too talked in favour of those morality keepers. She narrates what the local residents said regarding the issue when she complained about the gang filming them.
“Let’s leave the issue they might have done it only for their safety purpose as you were also filming the situation, I said that I had to film the situation because they began to abuse me and my husband for no valid reasons. But the residents were in no mood to listen us and were still backing the gang’s side”
She said, afterwards the police came and after investigating the situation they took case against the gang on charges such as abusing the modesty of a women and manhandling. He closed the narration by saying that,
“Personally, we couldn’t tolerate the situation and felt that we should move forward with the case as this kind of situation can happen to anyone anywhere in Kerala if it is left unreported. People should be punished for these violent activisms, intervening into the personal matters of others.”
When the researcher enquired about the family support the respondent said that “My family was able to understand our situation, as they truly believed that we would not commit anything immoral. They also said that there is no need for anyone to advise us because we are matured
26 citizens of the society and indeed know what is right and wrong in the society. My friends also gave me the support to move forward because they felt that such situation can necessarily happen to anyone in the society. So, they all provided the much-needed moral support and guided us in all possible ways.”
CASE 3
“C” is a post graduate student in Trivandrum. She is 23 years old. Her native residence is in Kottayam. The incident that she is going to narrate happened while she was travelling back to her native residence from Trivandrum. She describes the situation as
“She boarded the KSRTC Bus from Trivandrum to her hometown as usual on a Friday evening at 6.30 pm which is the usual timings for her as she leaves after her college ends at 4pm. She was accompanied by her male classmate. At the beginning of the journey everything was as usual, but after an hour an old man entered the bus and when he got comfortable with his place started staring both of us. The way he was staring was not virtuous.”
She said that they never minded it and continued talking in their usual jovial mood. But their gestures and smiles were indigestible for the old man and all of a sudden, he began to intervene them. She exclaimed that his tone was “Argumentative and Adamant” and was asking about their whereabouts and whether their families know about their journey. When she tried to intervene, he stopped her and said to her plainly that “Talking will be done among men and she shouldn’t intervene them.”. she and her friend were shocked by his reaction. She said that the old man had completely mistaken them seeing their luggage’s and talks. She replied that he trying to create a fuzz in the bus and trying to state that they had done something wrong. When she and her friend raised their voice, the old man resorted. She smiled and said that the excuse he made for the trouble he had caused made them confused and funny. He said that “Afterall it is his responsibility to enquire a boy and girl travelling together”. She was confused because an unknown stranger considered that it was his responsibility to investigate another person’s private things. Another thing that made her surprised during the incident was that none of the passengers and even the government officials in the bus never bothered to react to the situation. She finished her narration by saying that “In case if they were shy and were not responding to the situation, he could have easily manipulated and turn down the situation against them as the passengers in the bus were numb.”
When researcher asked about the reaction of the family and friends circle regarding the incident the respondent said that “My friends were full on support for me and my teachers also said that
27 I have done the right thing. Such behaviour in the society should not be tolerated was their opinion regarding the situation. But I had to face mixed opinion from my family side who gave me the support for the situation and the way how I had responded back. But my close relatives responded to my mother and father that they should warn me to reach home before it too late in the night. Even though they did not enforce that opinion on me, still they mentioned that such was the response from the family side. Such comments are often depressing because it often demoralizes us. It made me think that why can’t women travel late in the night? If so, it happens will it demoralize a woman. Anyhow I was not interested in accepting such comments.”
CASE 4
“D” is a PhD student in Trivandrum. Her permanent residence is in Kannur. She is 27 years old. The incident that she narrates here happened she and her friends were returning from Shankumugham beach, Trivandrum. She started of her narration as “She considered Trivandrum as a safe city suitable for night life and Shankumugham as an active area that is lively all night. As they returning from the beach at 9.30 pm 4-5 people who were sitting in the beach stopped them. They started to question them and were using abusive language against them, slowly the questioning mode changed into manhandling. They became provoked when my friend started to film the situation and they beat him.” She said that they used sexual words upon her and considered her as a girl who was ready was anything. After a strong dispute they reached the police station to file the case. She exclaimed that “Police showed no enthusiasm in filing the case and in turn they were showering morality upon us.”
She said that the police constable at the station tried to advise her and tried to make her understand what she did was wrong. She remembers the exact lines which he said as it sounded unacceptable for her. “You had to face this situation only because you were at the beach till 9.30 pm with your friends. She should have reached your home by that time instead of loitering in the beach with your friends.” She remarked that this was not the response that she was expecting from a public service providing law institution. The case was later taken up as it got reported in the media and the higher officials took up the matter seriously. Her finishing sentence was through expressing her feeling regarding the issue, she said that “The case was filed because it would be like tarnishing my dignity in front of some strangers without committing any faults if it is not filed. I did not do any illicit or obscene thing there to provoke the public then why should they behave like that to me.”
28 When asked about how her family responded to the situation the respondent said that “I come from a much-progressed family so there wasn’t any problem among them regarding the issue. They were pretty ok with the situation that has happened. My parents were full on support for me in this case. They were of the opinion that such activities should be stopped as no one has the right to interfere into the personal matters of others. They backed me up and was confident that I would not end up at anything immoral”
When asked about her friends circle and teachers responded to the situation “Of course my friends were ones who guided me in the issue giving me the moral support. As I was not used to such police station sort of activities, they accompanied me to police stations whenever I was required to go there and also gave me moral support. My teachers were shocked on hearing that such an incident happened to me. They also gave me the much-needed support and strength.”
CASE 5
“E” is an IAS aspirant. She is 25 years old. Her permanent residence is in Trivandrum but she stays in Kochi as part of her studies. She has been through quite a few instances of residential area moral policing. She has been staying in a residential area and many times she had to face such issues like “when she used to come late by 8.40 – 9 pm, the securities usually refused to open the gate of the apartment and asked for the permission of the residential head for entry”. She says that even in government hostel the time limit is 9.30 for coming for females but here in residential apartments they are not permitting ladies to come late.
She narrates a similar situation that happened to her while staying in the residential area. She said that “Once her own brother came to see her in the flat. Her brother asked her that they can sit in the park area which is a public spot in the flat area where everyone from the apartment used to sit, study, use for jogging etc. Her brother insisted her to sit in the park as he felt it would not good for him to sit and talk in the apartment were only ladies stay, so we sat in the park. The residential association head was watching us from his flat. After a while he came and enquired to us and suspected my brother to be my boyfriend. The head even before enquiring began to caution them that this a open place and we were not supposed to sit there in this manner.”
We were literally stunned because we chose an open place to avoid the questioning of the people but they even misunderstood us here also. She said that even her brother was not excepting such closed statement even before enquiring. She continued saying that we tried to
29 explain to him regarding our bonding and he was not at all convinced by our claims. She exclaimed that his response to her claim was ridiculous, she clearly remembers what he had said there “Your brother does not have your face cut, then how am I supposed to believe your claims.” She said that he was only satisfied only after seeing our family photo and returned with a rough face. His face expressions revealed that he was not happy with us. She replied that its sometimes quite shocking that people really want to interfere into someone else matters even in open public places. They are more focussed on other person’s matter. She closed her narration by saying that “If I don’t or have any similarities what does that matter to the other person, we were sitting in an open place where everyone in the apartment engages. We were not doing anything provocative to be judged and cautioned. I still don’t understand why some category of people are so prejudiced in a progressed society. They are always tempted in knowing the other person’s affairs. Whether they are leading a right life or are they drifting away from what the society claim to be right”.
When asked about the support that she received from the family and friends circle the respondent said that “I never felt any lack of support from my family side, even though I have many times told them about the disciplinary stance of the apartment people. Only when my brother arrived and experienced such a situation, they came to understand the intensity of what I have been experiencing. They gave the moral support to face such situation. Of course, my friends came forward and to lent their support as they were also going through such situation in the pg’s that they were staying”
30
CHAPTER 5
THEMATIC ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
THEMATIC ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
INTRODUCTION
Qualitative data analysis is the process in which we move from the raw data that have been collected as part of the research study and use it provide explanations, understanding and interpretation of the phenomena, people and situation which we are studying. Thematic analysis emphasizes on pinpointing, examining and recording patterns or themes within the data available.
1. MORALITY AND MORAL NOTIONS
Here the researcher tried to explore the opinions of the respondents giving importance to their experiences of moral policing regarding morality and moral notions existing in the society. Out of the five respondents each one had faced situations based on morality and moral notions in their lives. Morality and moral notions understanding is important in this research’s progress.
Respondent “A” stated that “Morality that is taking shape in the society cannot be accepted by many means. Many sections in the society considers it as a way of teaching good behaviour in the society. One thing these kinds of people forgets that their moral notions are purely based on their perception of religion, culture etc. How can we accept someone’s imposing of their perception upon us? As a law-abiding adult citizen, we are capable of what is moral and immoral, so definitely there is no need for any moral notions that should be followed as such it is meant.
Respondent “B” stated that “Morality or moral notions is a vast area to talk about. The basic idea behind morality or moral notion is nothing but what is considered right or wrong. But who decides it? The conception of morality varies from culture to culture. There is a macro and micro understanding concerning the same. What I consider right or wrong may not be in tune with the society’s moral code. So, I try to live my life by what I consider to be right on my own opinion, whether it falls under the society’s moral notions or not.”
Respondent “C” stated that “Morality is subjective. It may differ from person to person. My rights and wrongs may not be the same with another person. Hence my morality cannot be
31 forced on anyone else. Moral notions are something a society develops and establishes. For example, every religion has a moral notion of its own.”
Respondent “D” stated that “I personally consider the morality that we experience in the society as something that is purely created by religion and not by society or any law-making body. The things that has been written in religious books is what that is exercised as morality in the society. In my opinion I do not agree with society going along the lines of some religious contents as it will have serious issues regarding individual freedom.”
Respondent “E” stated that “Morality is a very discriminatory term as far as I am concerned. Morality always is oriented towards women and unmarried couples. Moral notions are basically become taboos for women even men are privileged in this case.”
1.1 Inappropriate claiming of obscenity in public places
Out of the five respondents four had to face situations based on inappropriate claiming of obscenity in their lives. They had to face abuses, manhandling, interrogations based on these inappropriate claiming of obscenity. Even the respondent who has not faced that situation also had seen such situations in her life. Obscenity is an important factor that tempts the moral policing people to react to the situation. In many cases obscenity has been mistaken and created causalities. So, there rests a need for understanding inappropriate claiming of obscenity.
Respondent “A” stated that “In most moral policing cases you can find this scenario. Take my case for instance. The local residents thought 4 boys and a woman inside a car can lead to some obscene event and they should prevent that from happening, this was their mindset. Such is the case everywhere, when such morality people find someone in place which they feel inappropriate they instantly claim obscenity on them without proper validating the situation.”
Respondent “B” stated that “The problems arise here because how the idea of obscenity is perceived by others. In Kerala, almost every public place this could be seen. Such as beaches, parks, even in buses. People think it is somehow okay, to comment on and intervene in other’s personal business. The saddest part of the reality is even, educational institutions accentuate the same. The problem lies here itself, two students with opposite sex are seen together sitting and talking, no matter the nature of their relationship, are looked at by in an obscene sense.”
Respondent “C” stated that “Yes these types of claiming are everywhere. My case itself is a great example of this claiming as the old man was in the bus felt that we were indulging in some obscene activity. Picturing women nothing but sexual objects. Why do people keep
32 fixating on women’s body rather than her personality or who she is rather than what she is wearing. When will society learn to appreciate and look upon women as fellow human beings. Using obscene words are also considered to be something great.”
Respondent “D” stated that “There definitely exists a situation in the society where women are questioned even about their character if they share a seat with a boy or seen roaming with a boy. The situation has certainly not changed, what is been done in the past is continued till now without any change. Of course, there has been changes in some areas while the rest is still left the same. In my case also they have misjudged us for committing something obscene in the public. So, that’s what I meant these things need to be changed for the sake of the future.”
Respondent “E” stated that “I am of the opinion that obscenity in public and private realms should be penalised. But improper claiming of obscenity at the same time cannot be tolerated. No one has the right to claim another person’s dressing sense, behaviour as obscene. In our state and anywhere in the nation inadequacy of sex education is seen distinctly. People are ill informed and also sexually frustrated.”
1.2 Moral Codes Torchbearers In The Society
Out of five respondents everyone has experienced issues from torchbearers of the society. A clear understanding regarding these category people is necessary for validating moral policing attitudes in the society.
Respondent “A” stated that “Definitely has no interest in moral codes as I personally these are tools to intervene and enter into someone’s personal space. Such kinds of activism cannot be accepted.”
Respondent “B” stated that “The torchbearers of Moral codes in the society constitutes the administrative authority, Educational Institutions, the public sphere which even we are a part. These category people are omnipresent in each and every nook and corners of the society waiting for someone to be corrected and to some extent punish them. They consider it that its their duty to bring everything into order and harmony in the society. All I have got to say is that we need no torchbearers, all we need is awareness a proper moral awareness through education that’s all we need to act accordingly.”
Respondent “C” stated that “We live in a nation that enables us to exercise our freedom and at the same time we have law making institutions to correct our wrong deeds with all these things
33 around why do we need extra protectors, they are all just extra burdens for us. I know my rights and I exercise it accordingly. I definitely don’t need any strangers to be my parents.”
Respondent “D” stated that “If you think you can realise how cruel it is vandalizing someone in public places for no right reason. These kinds of activities should not be tolerated in the society. My personal experience itself is a proof for this we do not need any torchbearers to let us about morality. We have our own perception and our parents, loved one’s guidance in this sense”
Respondent “E” stated that “I believe that morality is a fluid term as it keeps changing based on perception. No single person or agency can claim dominance over it. There is no need for torchbearers. If so, then policing will happen and it will create chaos.
1.3 Need for a Moral Order
Moral order conception is necessary when we try understand morality, moral notions, moral policing in the society. The respondents clearly state the need for a moral order through their statements and also expressed their concerns over morality upholders in the society.
Respondent “A” stated that “The need for moral order is necessary to correct us from doing the wrong thing, but I personally feel that this moral order should not be transferred to people through manhandling but through discourse”
Respondent “B” stated that “There is a need for moral order. For a society to function there has to be a moral order to it, as moral order is what differentiates the right from wrong. Without moral order there won’t be any punishment for the crime and the wrongdoings taking place in any society. But it has to be realized that moral order is always on a discourse. There has to be fluidity and flexibility when it comes to moral order. With the passage of time, the people are changing each generation has differs of one another. So, moral codes have to be updated so that it does not intervene in the personal freedom of individual i.e. without delimiting their individual freedom, at the same time the order of the society is maintained. In the post-modern world that we are living in, the very idea of right and being is questioned. In such situation if we hold on to moral codes applicable during the ear of renaissance then that does not make sense now does it?”
Respondent “C” stated that “A moral order is essential. It helps you to understand what is good or wrong. It should be learned but not enforced. And it should not be used as a reason to invade a person’s personal space. Today many people use the banner of moral order to ask vulgar
34 questions and to torture someone’s personal decision. You can take my case as a direct example for this case.”
Respondent “D” stated that “Indeed there is a need for moral order but should propagated through education and through vandalism and force.”
Respondent “E” stated that “Moral Order is good for the society as long as it ensures an order and stability. If it changes its course to a harmful path like certain groups claiming authority over the entire morality that should be avoided. We have right wing hinduist groups doing this in the state. Such moral code is detrimental.”
2. PATRIARCHAL INFLUENCE IN MORAL POLICING
Patriarchal influence cannot be neglected as main upholders in the case of moral policing are males. The respondents in the study were subjected to moral policing mostly by men. Men are mostly considered as the main propagators in morality and moral norms. There exists the need to understand the patriarchal influence in moral policing.
Respondent “A” states that “Patriarchal influence can be seen in every aspects of the society. We can say that our society is patriarchally created. Mostly we can notice that men determine what is the right and wrong and women adapts to it. Through moral policing patriarchal people are not going to gain in fact they are going to be mostly affected because of their insecurities.”
Respondent “B” states that “There is an element of patriarchy found in every aspect of society. The moral codes, are different for men and women, there itself one can sense the discrimination. Young adults are more vulnerable to moral policing actually. Given their age, it is considered okay to tell them off as a part of betterment of society. In case of moral policing, I think to some extent young adults have similar experience. But even so, the women in that scenario are more prone to insult and told to bring shame to the family and thing like that. Even if a woman is alone travelling by public transport late at night, she could be a victim of moral policing. In my personal experience I had to hear insults from a bus conductor in Trivandrum, just because I was travelling in but at 9.30 PM. But the same scenario a man would not be questioned or insulted the same way. Even my husband and me where abused by a group of people who were obviously upholding patriarchy. Even in this 21st century women are penalized on the basis of their dressing.”
35 Respondent “C” states that “Yes there is. Patriarchy made women more answerable than men to anything that is not the so-called norm of the society. Patriarchal Society has given men and women a certain framework and if they travel outside this they are questioned for their decision.”
Respondent “D” states that “of course, there is patriarchal influence whether it be moral policing or any other discrimination patriarchy definitely has certain role to play in it. Patriarchy can also affect men in the case of moral policing. Both men and women are subjected to it equally.”
Respondent “E” states that “Yes, Patriarchy is very much deep rooted and that’s why women become sluts and men are safe from much terms. The male dominance surely has a great role in giving descriptions to women who are late from office and study reference works.”
2.1 Misjudging of women in public places
Misjudging the presence of women in public places can be considered as one of the main roots of moral policing. Out of the five respondents everyone has faced this misjudging in their situations of moral policing. A detailed opinion on this scenario is required for the project study as it is having elements related to patriarchal influence.
Respondent “A” states that “Mis judging women has become a part of the society. Men can do anything whereas women can only do something while the rest is prohibited for her. Women sharing a space with a boy will be termed in an inappropriate way. These kinds of misconceptions should be brought to an end for the upheaval of women”
Respondent “B” states that “Women is being misjudged on the grounds of her dressing, the way she talks to people, whom all she hangs out with and so on. In developed cities of our nation like, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore etc. women are free. Even if she is talked down or commented on the basis of her dressing or so she will not take it and she will talk back. Even though Kerala is the most literate state in India, the women are somehow less free. The cities in Kerala are better in that sense compared to the rural areas but there is still a long way to go.”
Respondent “C” states that “Misjudge the word itself shows that it is not the right way to analyse a situation. Both men and women are misjudged for several reasons. This misjudgement occurs because we analyse an individual within the general notional setups in
36 the society rather within her or his individuality. From the way they dress to what their interests are questioned.”
Respondent “D” states that “Whether two people are married or not if they sit together in a public place why should others be bothered. What is it that leads them to think that something unusual is going to happen and we should stop them? Such thinking should be stopped first, a boy or girl knows about their surroundings when they sit in a public place. They don’t need anyone to regulate them or anyone gazing upon them”
Respondent “E” states that “Misjudging women in public places is common. If a girl wears a sleeveless top she is asking for it and if she is bold she is prideful. Women behaviour is also another factor on the base which she is again misjudged. Village girl is good and innocent whereas urban girl is a cannon that’s the mentality of our society touted to be one of the most progressed.”
3. STEREOTYPING OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY
Stereotyping denotes the attitudes of transgressing the rules and surpassing the boundaries. Any constraint imposed on the conduct or the self-imposed restriction as the internal response to the moral policing. This is an important topic as far as moral policing attitude. Out of the five respondents four has experienced such stereotyping in their lives. And one of them has seen such stereotyping happening to his wife and sister in his life.
Respondent “A” states that “Stereotyping is patriarchy created structure for oppressing the women. Stereotyping falls on the same line where women are considered to be weak, oppressed and meant to be ruled by men. Situations have changed a bit from the older times as new young generations are giving importance to their female counterparts in their lives.”
Respondent “B” states that “In the context of Kerala women experience stereotyping in public places on the grounds of the way she dresses, the way she talks and the pitch in which she talks and most importantly whom she is talking with i.e. the sex of the person she is with. Laughing loudly can also invite unwanted comments and stares. Age does play a man role in this. Being in your early 20’s one could experience some interventions from the crowd once you are in your late 20’s or 30’s even though people want to intervene they would not, instead they will make you feel uneasy from their stares. I also think, women in Kerala must talk back and should
37 not take such insults. Not everyone talks back and let others know that it is not their places to interfere; that I think invites these kinds of actions even more”.
Respondent “C” states that “Yes of course, From the starting of society culture I think stereotyping has existed. I myself is a victim to this kind of stereotyping and constraints. Have some headings flashed through your mind without you even thinking for a minute. Yeah those are the stereotypes of women. Even though powers are trying to change stereotypes in the society nothing is being changed these constraints continues to haunt women”
Respondent “D” states that “I feel that the section of women who have fallen prey to stereotyping are the ones who have tried to safeguard themselves from the society. Stereotyping can be considered as a factor of discrimination and causes for moral policing . Women is superimposed with chastity and that if she found in a situation which the society thinks she should be she will be stereotyped.”
Respondent “E” states that “I am against stereotyping, but it’s a reality sadly. The people in the society has certain conceptualization and if the women does not conform to that, they are considered to be deviant. Starting from wife to girlfriend stereotypes goes vast.”
3.1 Authoritative imposing of social norms on women
There exists a need to discuss the authoritative imposing of social norms when we talk about the stereotyping that women are facing in the society. Prejudgemental situations are considered to arise as a part of this authoritative influence and is a major factor when we consider moral policing. All respondents have agreed to the topic and believes that there is authoritative influence on women and is also influences moral policing attitudes.
Respondent “A” stated that “Women are facing imposing from authorities in many ways, even though we are saying women should be given more representation. Women are not as privileged as the men in the society. Social norms set upon women has a deep impact on their freedom and ways of life.”
Respondent “B” stated that “Speaking from the personal experience, authoritative imposing on social norms on women is a sad reality. Social norms itself are discriminative and patriarchal in nature. Somehow it delimits the freedom of women and even sexual minorities. It’s bad for any women but its 10 times worse for sexual minorities. I think to change this; the educational institutions should play their part. Gender neutrality has to be brought into the understanding to the students from an early age. Value education must be provided (in practicality not only
38 on papers) to the students to make them aware of the world they are living in. Social norms should not have a confining, conditioning, discriminating and delimiting effect.”
Respondent “C” stated that “As a woman I do oppose it. But if I say that aloud then I’ll be backfired. My personal experience that I narrated itself can be taken as an example. Women are not supposed to talk in some situations in their life. I feel that such imposing should be brought to an end.”
Respondent “D” stated that “Authoritative imposing of social norms can be considered as a hidden agenda of patriarchy and I feel that authorities should not typecast women. I personally feel that there should be a stop in such imposing of social norms. Social norms should be made equally and for just women.”
Respondent “E” stated that “Authoritative imposing of social norms exists; these restricts the individual freedom and its quite problematic.”
4. EXPERIENCES OF GOING THROUGH MORAL POLICING
The experiences of the individuals with moral policing is primary in analysing the moral policing attitudes in the study. This is also the concerns of the study. Each respondent has gone through different situations of moral policing in their lives. It is necessary to understand how they took that situation in their life and their reflection on it. The harm that is caused to the individual can be understood through this sharing of experiences.
Respondent “A” stated that “My personal experience as narrated was a biter one and was not expecting such a situation. Now, I feel that anything can happen when you travel with your wife to a place and you should be ready to face it as there are people who are noticing your every action in a public place, to be more precise I think we all are under someone’s surveillance. Even though the situation was not so traumatic as my friends and family supported us. Yet, it has left a unerasable memory in our life.”
Respondent “B” stated that “My experience of moral policing was quite shocking but at the same time it has given us the confidence that if we have not committed anything wrong there is nothing to be feared of , we stood sharp on our side and reported everything to the police and the cases were filed against attackers and I personally feel such kinds of activities should be reported to prevent further cases.
39 Respondent “C” stated that “I would like to take the incident that I have narrated as a thought- provoking incident and I don’t feel sad regarding that incident. Moral policing incident made me realize that considering the conditions of our state. Another day, I might end up in a little more higher frequency moral policing. So, this incident gave me strength to voice out against these kinds of fake morality. To the point I have not changed my behaviour after that incident and will continue to be like what I am.”
Respondent “D” stated that “My personal experience made realize that such things do happen and we should not continuously think over and over again on it and create the mental stress. Such things should be reported straight away and should be taken legal action. The incident in fact made me conscious in public places. Such attitudes of the society should be changed because my case it was a mild incident but there are brutal cases where people resorted to death.
Respondent “E” stated that “My incident made me realise about the issues faced by women in the society. We should fight out such situation with courage. My family gave me the strength the battle such atrocities in the society. I can say that I am prepared for such situations in my life and to lend help to people in need in such moral policing situations.”
4.1 The need for moral policing
The researcher had felt it important to note the opinion of the individuals regarding the need of moral policing as they had to face such situations in life without committing anything wrong. These responses can be of vital importance in understanding the moral attitudes in the society and to think whether such activities are needed in the society.
Respondent “A” states that “I don’t think moral policing is necessary. Everyone has their own right to lead their life, unless our deeds cause harm to others. Today morality is used as a baton to interfere other’s privacy. Moral consciousness is good and lawful policing is necessary but policing on the basis of morality is absurd.”
Respondent “B” states that “I don’t find there is any necessity of moral policing in our society. I am a strong believer in rights and freedom and I don’t want a stranger to tell me about my rights. I am a married woman and has 26 years old, I am definitely legal to make the decisions. I am not interested in imposing my believe systems on others.
Respondent “C’ states that “No, is my answer to that, I truly believe that such things will not pave way for the betterment of the society and at same time it can only cause backlash in the
40 society. I find that in most moral policing incidents we can see evidences of mostly women discrimination, stereotyping of women and confront of boys and girls. Proper sex education is required and not moral policing.”
Respondent “D” states that “My opinion is strictly ‘no’ not just because I have suffered moral policing, we don’t need such practices in the society as we are adults and are have the rights to exercise our freedom as the constitution provides us.”
Respondent “E’ states that “I do not think there is a need for moral policing as it will only limit a person and pay way to insecurities. Most thoughtful people would agree that morality in the absence of policing is somehow more truly moral than the kind of false morality that vanishes as soon as the police go on strike. Therefore, as long as a person, consciously intends on being morally policed is fine, but when vigilante groups consisting of hypocritical people themselves turn to free the society from the shackles of immoral behaviour, that’s where the problem starts and should be curtailed.”
41
CHAPTER 6
FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS, CONCLUSION
FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS, CONCLUSION
The researcher was able to decipher valuable insights from the study that was conducted on the respondents based on the topic. The findings are sorted based on the themes and sub themes on which the study was conducted.
1. Morality and Moral notions • From the study that has been conducted on the respondents, the researcher had come to an understanding that morality and moral notions are subjective concepts. It is highly dependent on the personal, religion and culture aspects of people. There exists a need of micro and macro understanding in this topic, as our state constitute multi culture and multi religion. Owing to its subjectivity morality cannot be claimed or imposed upon other people in public and private spaces. The study also shows that morality and moral notions has been mainly aimed at women in the society. Some of these moral notions are becoming taboos for women in the society. • The findings from the study states that inappropriate claiming of obscenity in public places has been on a rise in the state with many reported cases as proving examples of this scenario. Here, also obscene scene or words are purely subjective and cannot be addressed for the society as a whole. This scenario has prevented the expression of friendship in public places as may people mistake or disrupt their freedom. This also points onto the character of women and can also have a demoralising effect on the society • The researcher had found that intervention of morality upholders is on a rise in the society. The study reveals that even educational institutions and administrative authorities are backing biased morality codes and have become moral upholders. The thing to be noted is that institutions that should provide knowledge and life aspirations for students and citizens have become a part of biased morality codes. • The study conducted had found that there exists a need for moral order in the society to prevent the wrong things from happening in the society. But this moral order should be propagated as a discourse and should not be done through manhandling. If moral order is passed onto the society through discourse it will
42 have fluidity and flexibility. It is also found that moral order through discourse will not intervene the individual freedom.
2. Patriarchal influence in Moral Policing • The researcher had found that there has been significant influence of patriarchy involved in moral policing. The study also points out that patriarchal influence can lead to the creation of insecurities in the society. It is seen that patriarchy has certain frame work for women in the society which is the direct cause for moral policing. • The researcher has noticed that misjudging of women in public places has seen a rise in the society. The scenario has only created limitations upon women. There should be a regulation done from the authorities’ side against such situations. Pre-determined conceptions existing in the society can be seen as the root cause of these misjudging in public places.
3. Stereotyping of women in the society • The researcher had found that stereotyping is also a contributor to moral policing attitude in the society. This stereotyping attitude will only contribute to adding constraints over women. • It is seen that there is authoritative imposing of social norms on women in the society. This kind of situation can only lead to under privileging of women. There exists a need for making citizens aware of gender neutrality. • The study also found that social norms should be there but they should not be confining and discriminative in nature. The need for value education should be accepted and taken up in the society.
4. Experience of going through Moral policing • The researcher had found that moral policing has been a bitter experience in the life of the respondents. At the same time, it has not affected their stability. The respondents felt that it gave them strength to face such situations in life. They also said that there can be a repetition of such an activity in their life again, until there is an end to the morality upholding tendency of the public. Such a situation seemed to be of far sight in the present state of the society. There exists an
43 opinion that such activities should not be tolerated and must be taken legal actions. • The researcher after proper validating the study had found that there is no need of moral policing in the society. As it is aimed at intervening the personal freedom and causing harm at the people. It is also found that developing a moral consciousness is necessary and that lawful legal policing is acceptable. Proper sense of sex education should be cultivated in the society through discourse as such a thing can help in decreasing moral policing and gender related criminal activities.
SUGGESTIONS
• Age old laws should be revoked or reformed to curb the Moral Policing as there exist a tendency to use these laws to their benefits and to intervene the freedom of others. • Police should conduct reforms within the department and give sensitivity training and try to rule out biased prejudgemental people. The department should try to increase the level of night patrolling on special occasions and in frequently visiting public places e.g. Beaches, Parks. Etc. Mufti policing can be used to prevent the happening of vandalism in public places by deploying force in public places. • Government should initiate “Anti Moral Policing unit” all over the state that can reduce the number of cases reported in the state. This division can be used to create awareness regarding issues like moral policing to the public and also can be used to conduct classes for students about the do and don’ts in public places. • The slow and callous manner of the administration to deal such moral policing activities should be changed. The government needs to deal with such elements in a swift and effective manner. • The judicial system needs a complete overhaul for giving access to people with affordable, inclusive and speedy justice. In addition to police reforms and judiciary overhaul, awareness generation and education can also help people to dissuade from aggressive stances. • Public discussion and debates should be promoted in schools and colleges to create awareness and sensitization towards different moral policing attitudes in the society.
44 • People should avoid getting distracted by religious polarisation and cherish and uphold the constitutional value of secularism. The exhibiting or imposing of religious morality and moral notions on other people in the society should be brought to an end. • In every household, parents and children should engage in active discussions regarding the changes in the society. Children should expose their parents to modern trends and parents should show interest in understanding the same. A consensus between the two is bound to positively affect the society. In every public arena, the youth and the elderly should respect individual freedom and ensure that none causes discomfort to the other. • The Government should facilitate sex education and value education as a part of the educational discourse.
CONCLUSION
Kerala is the home to multiple and diverse traditions. Being a dynamic culture, it is flexible enough to stretch its boundaries to include the modern trends and cults. As such it will be wrong to interpret as something wrong or absurd just because it is western or modern and does not resembles with the ancient and orthodox trends of Indian culture. In such a set up each group interprets ‘Indecency’, ‘Public Obscenity’ and ‘Morality’, through their own moral compass hence it’s more than obvious that an act it going to end up offending one or the other section of the society. Moral policing can be classified as an activity which is too much involved in emphasizing the relevance of cultures and traditions. Moreover, when moral policing is conducted on women, it is solely done with the intention of limiting their movement as well as sexuality in the society and they are the ones who bear the brunt of harassment in public in the name of “culture and tradition”.
Indian culture should be protected. But the Indian culture does not say that loving some is wrong or wearing western clothes is wrong. If someone is doing a wrong thing, it is the duty of the police to take an action against it. Other people do not have any right to punish them at their own level. Even the law does not support moral policing. But this does not give you the right to do whatever you want in a public place. As stated earlier, private things should be done in private places. But still, to stop something moral policing is not the way. Moral policing is immoral.
Moral policing does not simply impose limitations upon the freedom of women but men as well. Through such acts, the Non state actors make an
45 attempt to maintain that patriarchal principles through arbitrary means which have been responsible since its inception for the violence against women. People should not try to impose the societal norms on others. The elements of Culture and morality cannot be divorced from development, so we need to work collectively for the progress of the women as well as men of our society. Every human being has a right to sexual and it shall not be curtailed to such degree that it violates a basic human right. Morality in the absence of policing is somehow more truly moral than the kind of false morality that vanishes as soon as the police go on strike. Developing moral consciousness is important in a society but moral policing should not be tolerated and should be brought in front of the law. Therefore, as long as a person, consciously intends on being morally policed is fine, but when vigilante groups and general public turn to free the society from the shackles of immoral behaviour, that’s where the problem starts and should be curtailed.
Through this study, the researcher has been able to conclude that “Moral Policing” is a vast notion since it includes different issues prevalent in our society. As we discussed in the beginning as to what compels an individual or a Non state actor to conduct moral policing and consequently, we discussed about several issues which have been occurred recently in our society. Such moral policing attitudes tends to create bitter experiences for individuals in the society. We can overcome the predicaments which are caused by moral policing by promoting education and literacy in our society. It is a kind of social epidemic because it is polluting our society rapidly and we need to curb such acute problems before it does much greater harm to our society. Government should try to initiate value imparting awareness programmes for men and women in the society.
46 BIBLIOGRAPHY
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49 APPENDIX
INTERVIEW GUIDE
MORAL POLICING ATTITUDES IN THE SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY ON THE EXPERIENCES OF DIFFERENT MORAL POLICING VICTIMS IN THIRUVANATHAPURAM.
Basic Profile
1. Name (Optional) 2. Age 3. Education 4. Occupation 5. Place of Incidence
Experiences of the respondents
1. Describe the experience that the respondent incurred during and after the incident? 2. What all problems did they face in the society after the incident? 3. What is their take on morality and moral notions of the people who interfered them? 4. Did they find these actions affecting their individual freedom? 5. Is there a need for individual or people’s checking on other individuals for the proper wellbeing of the society? 6. Do you think there is patriarchal influence in moral policing? 7. Do you think that there is any need for moral policing in the society? 8. What is your opinion on moral consciousness in the society? 9. Did they get enough support from their family following the incident? 10. What is your take on inappropriate obscenity in public places? 11. Do you think there are certain sections in the society who watch out morality or upholds morality? 12. What is your opinion on the misjudging of women in public places? 13. Can you share your regard on the intervention of privacy in public places? 14. Do you think that there is stereotyping of women in the society? 15. Can you please comment on the constraints on women behaviour in public places? 16. Have you experienced such constraints in public places? 17. Have you feared in reporting moral policing situations?
50 18. How did the authorities react towards your complaints? 19. Do you think typecasting affecting individual freedom? 20. What is your opinion on the authoritative imposing of social norms on women? 21. Do you have any suggestions that can be implemented to avoid such moral policing attitudes in the society? 22. Do you think such situations can happen again in your life? 23. Do you think there is a need for moral consciousness? 24. Do you think religion play an important role in moral policing? 25. Your take on the need or no need for moral policing?
51