Ban on dance bars, not dance: Patil

The Maharashtra Govt indicated a ban on cheerleaders at T20 matches may not be enforced.

The Maharashtra Government on Friday indicated a ban on cheerleaders at IPL T20 matches may not be enforced saying prima facie ‘there appears to be no violation of obscenity norms’.

“There is a ban on dance bars in the state, not on dance,” Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil told reporters. However, Patil, who holds the Home portfolio, made clear that if any police official feels the performance of cheerleaders at the forthcoming matches as obscene, he could take ‘necessary action’.

“I am awaiting a report on this issue, which is expected by tomorrow and then only would be able to comment further,” Patil said. “But prima facie, there appears to be no violation of obscenity norms.”

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Asked if he had seen the performance of cheerleaders or their reportage in media, Patil replied in the negative. “The existing law on dance bars stipulates that dancing and serving alcohol cannot be done at the same place,” Patil said.

When his attention was drawn to the statements by his deputy, Sidhram Mhetre that cheerleaders may be banned, Patil quipped, “It seems he has not read the law properly.”

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh interjected: “The stadium where IPL matches are being held is not a bar.”

Asked if the skimpily-clad cheerleaders, flown in from abroad, had proper work permit visas, Patil said “Anyone wanting to perform should have a proper visa…merely a tourist visa will not suffice.”

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