Kochi youths plan ‘kiss day’ after cafe vandalism

A group of youths began a FB page ‘kiss of love’ three days back and around 2,600 people have so far accepted the invitation.

To express “freedom of love” after BJP workers vandalised a coffee shop in Kozhikode alleging immoral activities, a group of youngsters have decided to mark November 2 as ‘kiss day’ in Kochi.

Last week, Congress-owned Jaihind TV aired a show alleging immoral activities at cafe Downtown. Within hours, the restaurant was attacked by workers of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth outfit of the BJP. Since then support has been pouring in for youngsters’ right to express their love.

A group of youths led by short filmmaker Rahul Pasupalan began a Facebook page ‘kiss of love’ three days back. Around 2,600 people have so far accepted the invitation to join the event to be held at Marine Drive at the shore of Kochi backwaters.

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The Facebook page said participants should come with placards reading ‘kiss of love’ at 5 pm Sunday. “The event would be an open challenge to moral policing,” says Pasupalan. The campaign has also invited the TV channel for exclusive coverage of the event.

Noted writer N S Madhavan said, “This is Kerala’s ‘pink chaddi’ moment. Remember how social media campaign against Mangalore pub attacks resulted in moral police chief Pramod Muthalik of Sri Ram Sena getting drowned under a sea of pink underwear…I have to warn about equally vigilant Kerala police who can misuse Section 294 of IPC against public display of affinity. Well-intentioned youth behind the campaign should be cautious.’’

Kochi police commissioner K G James said police would not allow the kissing event.

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