Golconda cops force couples to do sit-ups

Hyderabad: A video of unmarried couples forced to do sit-ups near the Quli Qutub Shahi tombs under the Golconda police limits surfaced on Monday.

The video shows Golconda police detaining around six couples a week ago and “punishing” them in the presence of inspector Syed N. Javed.

The police has earned bouquets and brickbats for their action. “There is no problem if these couples express their love in private. However, they do so in public, mostly near heritage structures in the city. The cops were right in punishing them instantly,” said B. Victor, a student from OU.

However, not everyone was in favour of such police intervention. “How can cops take the law into their hands?. People who don’t get privacy elsewhere, will choose a spot where they can spend quality time. The police has no right to punish couples, but can counsel them.” said Geeta Dhagay, a hypnotherapist.

Meanwhile, police defended their action and said some couples visiting heritage sites were frequently indulging in obscenity and making visitors and tourists uneasy.

“There were many complaints, including one from the archaeological department. That is why we increased surveillance in these areas. We counselled the couples and informed their parents. We need to keep a watch to prevent crime against women at secluded places,” said V. Satyanarayana, West Zone DCP.

A heritage peace committee member videotaped this incident and got it uploaded on web-based news magazine. The video shows a cop standing in the centre and men doing sit-ups around him, while women were on another side.

“We found youngsters skipping study hours and coming to such places. We are just trying to protect women. At times we are questioned back and asked to stay off as they have ticket,” the DCP said.

Women groups in old city protested the police action and said it was unacceptable to them. However, we have teams to have a surveillance in such secluded spots.” He added.

Though, it had been some time that the issue came to light after making rounds in social networking sites and some news channels, the cops have decided to start an inquiry into the issue to examine the facts behind the incident. However, there has been no formal complaint lodged by anyone in connection to the incident.

“ We have started an inquiry on the issue. We have appointed the assistant commissioner of police, Asifnagar to conduct an inquiry and submit a report. He will examine the direct and indirect reasons.” Satyanarayana said.

“We also noticed many skipping their study hours and coming to such places. We are just trying to safeguard women and avoid any untoward incident, but at times were are questioned back and asked to stay off as they have a ticket. However, we have teams to have a surveillance in such secluded spots.” He added.

Meanwhile, there were protests from various women groups in the old city who expressed shock following the incident. They said moral policing is unacceptable. Muslim leaders also spoke on women being punished in public. They called the act of police as atrocious for uploading the video.

Activists, however, say it is not about shaming any particular community but moral policing and subversion of the law by a law-enforcing authority. They say if every policeman starts devising their own law plan and their own enforcement mechanism, then why do we need a Constitution, Parliament and a legislature to make laws.