A swift peck on the cheek, a slight tilt of your head leaning on your partner’s shoulder, a casual hug, or the assurance of holding hands, all to communicate your feeling, the power of the bond, and the uninhibited expression of making your partner feel important in public! What could be so wrong about such harmless acts to initiate heinous crimes and abhorrent hatred from the onlookers and the custodians of moral policing in our society?
Where studies prove that such slight gestures help partners develop stronger connections, how much of a Public Display of Affection is acceptable in the context of Indian societal norms? In the view of others, an act of physical intimacy, how much and how far is within the scale of approval in the public eye and concerning culture and context?
Whereas PDA has varying acceptance ranges in different countries, cultures, and contexts, the Indian subcontinent with great values, morals, and tradition has lesser tolerance for such acts. Treading towards modernization and incorporating Western lifestyle in many aspects, when it narrows down to PDA, most Indians don’t seem comfortable about the idea. Causing annoyance to others through ‘obscene acts’ is a criminal offense under section 294 of the Indian Penal Code, and incurs a punishment of imprisonment up to three months or a fine, or both. But what is obscene and is there an explicit definition of the term? And as such, the act and the law are blatantly misused by both the couples indulging in PDA and the ones ready to harass the culprits.
The increasing crime and aggressive badgering of partners and couples are bitterly criticized by the younger generation who are inclined towards a progressive society open to accepting different lifestyles and the perception of love, relationships, dating, etc. While it is important for the healthy, harmonious, and secure coexistence of everyone in a more civilized society, what needs to be taken into consideration is that couples don’t go overboard in showing love towards each other when in public. “When in Rome do as the Romans do”, as the saying goes, it is always a sign of developing mentality if we simply learn to accept, respect, and regard the culture of our country instead of forcing the society towards Indianized Western Culture. PDA is not abominable, but people need to be mature enough to act according to space and context. Just as no one has the right to harass someone simply because they are romantic.
Jyoti Jha is an author, columnist, and globetrotter. A winner of ‘TOI Write India Season 3’. She contributes to both Hindi and English literature