OYO’s marital status check regressive, say Pune youngsters

“Yes. No law in the country denies an unmarried couple a stay in a hotel,” the OYO website, however, says.

The new rule has sparked debates and raised concerns about moral policing. For years, the hotel chain had built a reputation as a safe and private space for young couples, offering a safe space from intrusive family members.

Cities like Pune also lack adequate ‘third places’, a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg to describe places other than home (first place) and work (second place) where people can hang out and interact. The beaches of Mumbai and expansive gardens in Delhi and Pune are examples of third places. Hotel chains like OYO are used not only by couples but also by groups of friends looking for third places.

A policy mandating marriage registration will automatically restrict mixed-gender friend groups from booking hotel rooms as well, said a Pune youngster.

‘Unnecessary and intrusive’

Criticising OYO’s decision, Pune-based Dhanraj Khatri, 25, asked if married couples are the only people who need a place to stay. “OYO was a safe space for young couples starting their journey together. This decision alienates a significant portion of their customers. Relationships don’t need a marriage certificate to be valid, and hotel policies should reflect the values of inclusivity and freedom that young people believe in today,” he added.

“We strongly disagree with the new policy. It’s unfair and outdated to restrict unmarried couples from staying together,” said Khatri’s girlfriend, 24, requesting anonymity.

Sahil Yadav, 20, said, “This new policy is not right. Hotels shouldn’t act like this. Restricting unmarried couples entirely is unnecessary. They could impose other conditions, like time limits, but making rooms available only for married couples doesn’t make sense.”

Anushree Shirkhedkar, student, 19, said, “I understand they want to create a family-friendly environment, but this is taking away personal freedom. For those exploring a relationship, this implies that simply dating is wrong. Businesses should be service providers, not impose personal judgments or reinforce outdated societal norms.”

A 20-year-old student at the Maharashtra Institute of Technology in Pune said, requesting anonymity, “Hotels shouldn’t ask for marriage certificates. Who are they to question us? It’s unnecessary and intrusive. We’re the ones paying them, and this decision could cost their business a lot. It’s totally absurd.”

Sudhakar Shetty, President, Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association, told The Indian Express, “As long as the couple can provide government ID cards and prove they are adults, it is not anyone’s business. I don’t know how they came up with these policies. It is a free country.”

OYO’s communication team did not reply to repeated requests for comment.

(With inputs from Alister Augustine and Samiksha Bhowmik. Augustine and Bhowmik are interns with The Indian Express)