Hyderabad Park Ban On Unmarried Couples: Indira Park in Hyderabad reportedly erected a board recently that has left the internet fuming. The board allegedly put up by park's management specifies that "Unmarried couples are not allowed inside". Many have questioned the moral policing by park authorities, asking why a public property was being treated like a private asset.
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"A public park is an open space for all law abiding citizens, including consenting couples across genders. How can 'marriage' be criteria for entry!" tweeted Meera Sanghamitra who had shared the image of the board in question on social media. In another tweet, Sanghmitra called the park management's approach an anti-working class move. "Most couples who frequent Indira Park belong to lower, middle income categories," she reasoned, adding that such couples cannot access hi-fi pubs & other costly spaces. "Working class young couples have every right to access these parks. End Ridiculous Restrictions," she further wrote.
All India Students Association National President N Sai Balaji too tweeted on the controversy, writing, "My city has turned itself against love and young people. Such a tragedy! Why can't unmarried people go to parks?"
The alleged board has left people asking, should couples now carry around their marriage certificate to the park?
However, many people have also spoken in support on this crackdown on unmarried couples who "decay" a public space by "wanting to do more". One Twitter user went on to give example of another park in the city of Hyderabad which was eventually converted into a children's park. "Sanjeevaiah Park had decayed as it became a hotbed for couples wanting to do 'more' than just hold hands and sit next to each other. They turned it into a Children's park (adults must be accompanied by children under 13). Now it's rejuvenated, " he tweeted, adding that maybe Indira Park was headed in the same direction.
Another user insisted that Indira Park should enforce some rules of decency for who comes in. "If not beggars, whores & pickpocketers get UNBRIDLED free run," the tweet further read.
Here are some other reactions to the alleged Indira Park controversy:
So we need to carry marriage registration certificates to Indira park.
“These parks deserted by lovers are so dejected. They used to be most congenial for “ratisamyog” - love.” That’s how Bharata knows something is amiss in Ayodhya. Valmiki Ramayana 2.71.23-25 Hyd police - ratisamyog in parks is a sign of the city’s health! https://t.co/nUTmBaFTyZ
It is not uncommon for unmarried couples to face policing from society in India. However, who gets to decide how a public is "used"? Who gave the park authority the right to police unmarried couples, after all shouldn't a public place be accessible to all? The mandate also tells us that intimacy and public display of affection continue to make us uncomfortable, even in this day and age. We would rather ban couples from public places than talk about sex, sexuality and intimacy openly with each other. But does banning intimacy from public places solve anything, apart from appeasing our stigmatised gaze?
UPDATE: Shortly after imposing the ban, the park's management committee withdrew it owing to widespread backlash. The news was shared by Zonal Commissioner of Secunderabad, who revealed that the controversial banners had been removed by the Urban Biodiversity Division. Also apologizing for the inconvenience, the Zonal Commissioner added that local police has been instructed to keep a vigil to “maintain serene atmosphere in the park”.
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