Kochi: Kochi famously hosted the Kiss of Love protest after miscreants attacked a hotel in an act of moral policing in 2012. The protest was held at Marine Drive Kochi. The venue is set for another protest, this time against the lovers who spend time along the walkway. Residents or locals have put up a poster on Marine Drive walkway seeking to stop school-college students spending time together there. Residents resent lovers monopolising the walkway.
The poster was erected this week and the same was removed two days back. The poster shows a collage of couples sitting under umbrellas. Aashin Thampy, a Kochi resident, posted the photo on his Facebook page to get public opinion. The post received mixed reaction with many opposing the move stating that it is nothing but moral policing. “Let them do what they want who are we to comment on it,” one commented. While another quipped that police should take action against the lovers.
"It’s not exactly about moral policing but is a serious one. Marine drive is only one such place where school/college couples come to. College couples, being adults, know what they are doing. But school students may get trapped or cheated. So let’s respect the freedom of adults sitting there, while parents and officials should make the school children aware about the harmful effects of their actions,” Aashin said. When contacted, the Central Police claimed that it has received some complaints from locals against lovers spending time at Marine Drive walkway. “We are looking into it,” a senior police official said.
