In a move that lays the groundwork for permanent closure of dance bars in Maharashtra, the state Cabinet on Thursday cleared an amendment to the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, dropping section 33B of the Act that allowed dance performances in private clubs or high-end hotels. The aforesaid clause was deemed discriminatory by the Supreme Court and was one of the major reasons why the apex court in July 2013 had struck down the state’s ban on dance bars by calling it unconstitutional. “The major contention of the Supreme Court was how dance performances could be allowed in five-star hotels and clubs, but considered illegal elsewhere. The Supreme Court had suggested that the clause needed to be removed if we were keen on banning dance bars in the state. We moved an amendment accordingly and the state Cabinet today approved it,” a senior minister said. The amended Bill will now be tabled before the Assembly. It is, however, likely to get ratified as a law only when the new Assembly is convened in the state. The ban on dance bars is the brainchild of Home Minister R R Patil who blamed the proliferation of dance bars on the breakdown of social and familial harmony in the state. The draft of the new amended law states that section 33 B has been omitted from the Act. It states that the performance of dance of any kind or type in eating house, permit room or beer bar is prohibited. It further states that all licences to hold a dance performance, of any kind or type, stand cancelled. Any person found violating the law will face a jail term of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. The law also states that the crimes registered under these sections will be cognizable and non bailable. With the Cabinet approving the draft Bill, it will now be presented to the Assembly which will refer it to the joint select committee of the state legislature.
