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2014 Kiss of Love protest
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{{Short description|Non-violent protest against moral policing}}{{Multiple issues|{{Copy edit|date=October 2023}}{{Tone|date=October 2023}}}}







factoids
(Initial outburst)| place = Trivandrum, Kochi, New Delhi, Mumbai, Calicut, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai| coordinates =| causes = Multiple instances of moral policing| goals =| methods = Protest by French kissing, hugging and holding hands| status = | result = | leadfigures2 = | leadfigures3 =| howmany1 =| howmany2 =| howmany3 =| casualties1 = | casualties2 = | casualties3 = | fatalities =| injuries = | arrests = Around 50| detentions =AUTHOR=PTIDATE= 4 NOVEMBER 2014, 26 November 2014, | fined = | casualties_label =| notes =}}The Kiss of Love protest was a non-violent protest against moral policing. It started in Kerala, India, and later spread to other parts of the country.NEWS,in.reuters.com/article/india-kissing-idINKCN0IU1QB20141110, ‘Kiss of Love’ protests rattle Modi’s conservative India, Reuters, 10 November 2014, 26 November 2014, Tharakan, Tony, WEB,zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal/kiss-of-love-spreads-to-kolkata_1494889.html, ‘Kiss of Love’ spreads to Kolkata, Zee News, 6 November 2014, 26 November 2014, WEB,newamericamedia.org/2014/11/kiss-of-love-campaign-spreads-to-kolkata-delhi.php, ‘Kiss of Love’ Campaign Spreads to Kolkata, Delhi - New America Media, 26 November 2014,newamericamedia.org/2014/11/kiss-of-love-campaign-spreads-to-kolkata-delhi.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20141123053254newamericamedia.org/2014/11/kiss-of-love-campaign-spreads-to-kolkata-delhi.php,">web.archive.org/web/20141123053254newamericamedia.org/2014/11/kiss-of-love-campaign-spreads-to-kolkata-delhi.php, 23 November 2014, dead, NEWS, K C, Ramesh Babu, ‘Kiss of Love’ to protest moral policing in Kerala,www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-mass-kissing-drive-leaves-cops-high-and-dry/article1-1280010.aspx,www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-mass-kissing-drive-leaves-cops-high-and-dry/article1-1280010.aspx," title="web.archive.org/web/20141029071403www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-mass-kissing-drive-leaves-cops-high-and-dry/article1-1280010.aspx,">web.archive.org/web/20141029071403www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-mass-kissing-drive-leaves-cops-high-and-dry/article1-1280010.aspx, dead, October 29, 2014, November 1, 2014, Hindustan Times, HT Media Ltd, October 29, 2014, NEWS, Hashim, Farmis, Demonstrators kiss to protest ‘moral policing’ in Kerala,observers.france24.com/content/20141103-kiss-protest-moral-policing-kerala, November 5, 2014, The Observers, France24, November 3, 2014, April 17, 2015,observers.france24.com/content/20141103-kiss-protest-moral-policing-kerala," title="web.archive.org/web/20150417051440observers.france24.com/content/20141103-kiss-protest-moral-policing-kerala,">web.archive.org/web/20150417051440observers.france24.com/content/20141103-kiss-protest-moral-policing-kerala, dead, The movement began when a Facebook page called Kiss of Love called forth the youth across Kerala to participate in a protest against moral policing on November 2, 2014, at Marine Drive, Kochi.NEWS, FP Staff, Kiss of Love: Kochi’s version of Pink Chaddi campaign to fight moral policing,www.firstpost.com/india/kiss-of-love-kochis-version-of-pink-chaddi-campaign-to-fight-moral-policing-1778187.html, November 1, 2014, Firstpost, Network 18, October 30, 2014, NEWS, Philip, Shaju, Youth to mark Nov 2 as ‘Kiss Day’ to challenge moral policing in Kerala,indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/youth-to-mark-nov-2-as-kiss-day-to-challenge-moral-policing-in-kerala/, November 1, 2014, The Indian Express, Indian Express Group, October 28, 2014, The Facebook page garnered more than 154,404 followerswww.facebook.com/kissoflovekochi: {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}WEB,gulfnews.com/news/world/india/kiss-of-love-plan-gets-more-support-in-kerala-1.1406074, ‘Kiss of love’ plan gets more support in Kerala, 26 November 2014, After the initial protest in Kochi, similar protests were organized in other major cities of the country.The movement later received opposition from various religious and political groups, including the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, SDPI, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Sena.WEB,www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Wary-Cops-Nab-Around-50-Kiss-of-Love-Protesters/2014/11/03/article2504805.ece,www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Wary-Cops-Nab-Around-50-Kiss-of-Love-Protesters/2014/11/03/article2504805.ece," title="web.archive.org/web/20141106161510www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Wary-Cops-Nab-Around-50-Kiss-of-Love-Protesters/2014/11/03/article2504805.ece,">web.archive.org/web/20141106161510www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Wary-Cops-Nab-Around-50-Kiss-of-Love-Protesters/2014/11/03/article2504805.ece, dead, November 6, 2014, Wary Cops Nab Around 50 ‘Kiss of Love’ Protesters, WEB,www.deccanchronicle.com/141103/nation-current-affairs/article/kiss-love-protest-police-blamed-giving-free-hand-miscreants:, Kiss of love protest: Police blamed for giving free hand to miscreants, www.deccanchronicle.com,web.archive.org/web/20191203031000/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141103/nation-current-affairs/article/kiss-love-protest-police-blamed-giving-free-hand-miscreants, 2019-12-03, WEB,www.ndtv.com/article/south/kerala-s-kiss-of-love-protest-planned-for-sunday-draws-opposition-613289:, Kerala’s ‘Kiss of Love’ Protest, Planned for Sunday, Draws Opposition, NDTV.com, 26 November 2014, NEWS,www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/student-organisations-condemn-kiss-of-love/article6551314.ece:, Student organisations condemn ‘Kiss of Love’, The Hindu, 31 October 2014, In a series of judgments, both the Supreme Court of India and the Delhi High Court ruled that kissing in public is not an obscene act and that no criminal proceedings can be initiated for kissing in public.WEB,ibnlive.in.com/news/sc-clean-chit-to-gere-in-shilpa-kissing-row/61177-8.html,ibnlive.in.com/news/sc-clean-chit-to-gere-in-shilpa-kissing-row/61177-8.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20141110200352ibnlive.in.com/news/sc-clean-chit-to-gere-in-shilpa-kissing-row/61177-8.html,">web.archive.org/web/20141110200352ibnlive.in.com/news/sc-clean-chit-to-gere-in-shilpa-kissing-row/61177-8.html, dead, 10 November 2014, SC clean chit to Gere in Shilpa kissing row, IBNLive, 26 November 2014, NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7295797.stm, BBC NEWS - South Asia - Richard Gere cleared of obscenity, 14 March 2008, 26 November 2014, NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7866478.stm, BBC NEWS - South Asia - India couple’s kiss ‘not obscene’, 3 February 2009, 26 November 2014, WEB,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Kissing-in-public-by-married-couple-not-obscene-HC/articleshow/4066941.cms:, Kissing in public by married couple not obscene: HC - the Times of India, timesofindia.indiatimes.com,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Kissing-in-public-by-married-couple-not-obscene-HC/articleshow/4066941.cms," title="web.archive.org/web/20141031185728timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Kissing-in-public-by-married-couple-not-obscene-HC/articleshow/4066941.cms,">web.archive.org/web/20141031185728timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Kissing-in-public-by-married-couple-not-obscene-HC/articleshow/4066941.cms, 2014-10-31, WEB,www.telegraphindia.com/1090218/jsp/opinion/story_10552589.jsp:, The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Opinion | Who’s afraid of kissing?, www.telegraphindia.com,www.telegraphindia.com/1090218/jsp/opinion/story_10552589.jsp," title="web.archive.org/web/20141112032716www.telegraphindia.com/1090218/jsp/opinion/story_10552589.jsp,">web.archive.org/web/20141112032716www.telegraphindia.com/1090218/jsp/opinion/story_10552589.jsp, 2014-11-12,

Background

In the 2000s and early 2010s, there were a series of high-profile incidents of violence against individuals for perceived obscene conduct. Attacks were carried out by both police and vigilante actors.

Activities

Origins

The Kiss of Love protest was sparked off in October 2014 when Jai Hind TV, a Malayalam news channel owned by the Indian National Congress, telecast an exclusive report on alleged immoral activity at the parking space of Downtown Cafe in Kozhikode.NEWS, Philip, Shaju, Congress channel alleges ‘immorality’ at Kerala cafe, BJP workers vandalized the cafe smashing all furniture and fixtures of the coffee shop,indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/congress-channel-alleges-immorality-at-kerala-cafe-bjp-workers-vandalise-it/, 2 November 2014, The Indian Express, October 25, 2014, The video showed a young couple kissing and hugging each other.NEWS, Babu, Ramesh, Kerala: ‘Kiss of Love’ campaign meets wall of cops and protesters; fizzles out,www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-organisers-to-go-ahead-with-kiss-of-love-today/article1-1281587.aspx,www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-organisers-to-go-ahead-with-kiss-of-love-today/article1-1281587.aspx," title="web.archive.org/web/20141102073116www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-organisers-to-go-ahead-with-kiss-of-love-today/article1-1281587.aspx,">web.archive.org/web/20141102073116www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-organisers-to-go-ahead-with-kiss-of-love-today/article1-1281587.aspx, dead, November 2, 2014, 2 November 2014, Hindustan Times, 2 November 2014, A mob of attackers, who were later identified as belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, vandalized the cafe following the report. Following this, a group of friends from a Facebook page called ’Freethinkers’, started the Facebook page ‘Kiss of Love’.NEWS,indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/kochi-youths-plan-kiss-day-after-cafe-vandalism/, Kochi youths plan ‘kiss day’ after cafe vandalism, The Indian Express, 19 Nov 2014, 29 Oct 2014, Activists from all over Kerala decided to protest against the series of moral policing incidents by organizing a public event at Marine Drive beach on November 2 in Kochi.NEWS, Varghese, Johnley, Kerala Gets Ready for its First Public Kissing Event, Backlash Feared,www.ibtimes.co.in/kerala-gets-ready-its-first-public-kissing-event-backlash-feared-612861, 2 November 2014, International Business Times, November 2, 2014, On November 2, 2014, activists gathered at Marine Drive, Kochi to express solidarity with the movement against moral policing. A planned march proceeded from the campus of Ernakulam Law College to the venue, during which the police took around 50 activists into preventive custody, citing law and order issues.NEWS, 2 November 2014, ‘Kiss of Love’ organisers taken into custody in Kochi on the fear of mass attacking by public, The Hindu,www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/kiss-of-love-organisers-taken-into-custody/article6557810.ece, 2 November 2014, NEWS, Sanyal, Anindita, 2 November 2014, Kerala ‘Kiss of Love’ Ends in Chaos, Participants Taken Into Preventive Custody, NDTV,www.ndtv.com/article/south/kerala-kiss-of-love-ends-in-chaos-participants-taken-into-preventive-custody-615195?curl=1414941187, 2 November 2014, Various religious and political groups also gathered on the protest ground to physically prevent the activists from kissing and hugging in public.NEWS, Thomas, Trisha, Hindu, Muslim groups join hands against Kiss of Love in Kerala, 2 November 2014, RTN-Asia, 2 November 2014,rtn.asia/t-t/9317/conservatives-challenge-kiss-of-love-event-in-kochi, Kerala Police was criticized for its failure to control the eventfreepressjournal.in/police-behaved-in-a-partisan-way-says-cpm-leader/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202031334freepressjournal.in/police-behaved-in-a-partisan-way-says-cpm-leader/ |date=2014-12-02 }}:WEB,www.firstpost.com/india/kiss-of-love-kerala-govts-first-mistake-was-siding-with-moral-hooligans-1785389.html, Kiss of Love: Kerala govt’s first mistake was siding with moral hooligans, Firstpost, 3 November 2014, 26 November 2014, Police allowed counter-protesters—who included members of Shiv Sena, SDPI, and Bajrang Dal—to attack the protest.WEB,indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/kerala-at-least-50-taken-into-custody-for-organising-kiss-of-love/,indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/kerala-at-least-50-taken-into-custody-for-organising-kiss-of-love/," title="web.archive.org/web/20141102173131indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/kerala-at-least-50-taken-into-custody-for-organising-kiss-of-love/,">web.archive.org/web/20141102173131indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/kerala-at-least-50-taken-into-custody-for-organising-kiss-of-love/, dead, 2 November 2014, At least 50 taken into custody for organising Kochi ‘kiss of love’ protest, The Indian Express, 26 November 2014, Although they attempted to physically stop the Kiss of Love protesters from legally protesting, none of the counter protesters were removed.NEWS,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kiss-of-love-movement-They-came-dared-the-mob-did-it/articleshow/45016955.cms, ‘Kiss of love’ movement: They came, dared the mob, did it, The Times of India, 3 November 2014, 26 November 2014, Police later claimed that they arrested the Kiss of Love protesters to save the protesters’ lives.WEB,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/We-took-kiss-of-love-activists-into-custody-to-save-their-lives/articleshow/45043053.cms:, We took kiss of love activists into custody to save their lives - Times of India, timesofindia.indiatimes.com,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/We-took-kiss-of-love-activists-into-custody-to-save-their-lives/articleshow/45043053.cms," title="web.archive.org/web/20160401011611timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/We-took-kiss-of-love-activists-into-custody-to-save-their-lives/articleshow/45043053.cms,">web.archive.org/web/20160401011611timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/We-took-kiss-of-love-activists-into-custody-to-save-their-lives/articleshow/45043053.cms, 2016-04-01,

Further activities

The protest was very popular on social networking sites and in the news media. The opposing groups allegedly compelled the Facebook authorities to block the Kiss of Love page through mass reportingWEB,www.facebook.com/help/263149623790594/, Report a Violation - Facebook Help Center - Facebook, Facebook, 26 November 2014, on November 3.WEB,www.deccanchronicle.com/141104/nation-current-affairs/article/kiss-love-facebook-page-blocked-activated-again, Kiss of Love Facebook page blocked, activated again, Deccan Chronicle, 4 November 2014, 26 November 2014, The profile pages of all of the administrators were blocked as well. One of the administrators said that the page had 50,000 members at the time of blocking. The page was reinstated later that day and the number of members soon crossed 75,000.NEWS, S.R., Praveen, Kiss of Love’ page blocked, reinstated,www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/kiss-of-love-page-blocked-reinstated/article6562521.ece, 6 November 2014, 4 November 2014, The Hindu, Supporters of the campaign had been posting pictures of them kissing on social networking sites.NEWS, K.S., Sudhi, Kiss of Love protests: Taking matters, personally,www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/kiss-of-love-prtotests-taking-matters-personally/article6563143.ece, 6 November 2014, The Hindu, 4 November 2014, Kollam-based women’s rights activist Resmi R Nair was the co-founder and spokesperson of the Kiss of Love protest.NEWS,www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-29880519, #BBCtrending: India’s ‘Kiss Protest’ prompts controversy, BBC News, 3 November 2014, 26 December 2022, Another activist, Rehana Fathima, also participated in the protest along with her partner, film-maker Manoj K Sreedhar.WEB,indianexpress.com/article/india/who-is-rehana-fathima-sabarimala-activist-5408576/, Activist Rehana Fathima climbs down from Sabarimala, but ..., 19 October 2018, A group of students at Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam protested against moral policing by conducting an event named ‘Hug of Love’. All the participants were later suspended for 10 days by the College authorities for violating the ‘code of conduct’.NEWS,www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/hug-of-love-at-college/article6575486.ece, ‘Hug of Love’ at college, Kochi Bureau, The Hindu, 7 November 2014, 26 November 2014, Another group of students from Government Law College Kozhikode organized an event called Hug of Love on 10/12/2014. Authorities took this as an act of indiscipline and served show cause notice to participants.
A protest against moral policing in Thiruvananthapuram with kisses and hugs under the banner ‘kiss against fascism’ was conducted in front of the Kairali theater complex during the 19th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) on 13 December 2014.NEWS, IFFK gets its share of Kiss of Love, The Hindu, 14 December 2014,www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/iffk-gets-its-share-of-kiss-of-love/article6689842.ece,

Kiss In The Streets

A Kiss protest dubbed as ‘Kiss In The Streets’ was organized on 7 December in Kozhikode. Right-wing opponents of the kiss protest issued threats before the event, stating that protesters would be stripped naked in public, if they attempted to kiss.NEWS,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/Kiss-in-the-Street-could-shift-to-moving-buses/articleshow/45399099.cms, Kiss in the Street could shift to moving buses | Kozhikode News - Times of India, The Times of India, 7 December 2014, The event was marred by violence towards the protesters by Shiv Sena and Hanuman Sena.NEWS,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/Kozhikode-Kiss-of-Love-event-marred-by-violence/articleshow/45406165.cms, Kozhikode ‘Kiss of Love’ event marred by violence | Kozhikode News - Times of India, The Times of India, 7 December 2014, Police resorted to caning and took the Kiss of Love protesters and their opponents into preventive custody.NEWS,www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/police-detain-over-60-kiss-of-love-campaigners/article6670940.ece, Police detain over 60 ‘Kiss of Love’ campaigners, The Hindu, 8 December 2014, Protesters claimed that Kerala Police were more brutal than the Right-wing assailants.NEWS,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/Kozhikode-protesters-brave-violence-to-hug-and-kiss/articleshow/45407359.cms, Kozhikode protesters brave violence to hug and kiss | Kozhikode News - Times of India, The Times of India, 8 December 2014,

Support outside Kerala

The event gathered support from educational institutions outside of Kerala including University of Hyderabad, JNU Delhi, IISER Kolkata, Pondicherry University, IIT Madras and IIT Bombay.NEWS,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/IIT-B-to-lock-lips-with-Kochis-Kiss-of-Love-movement/articleshow/45009285.cms, IIT-B to lock lips with Kochi’s ‘Kiss of Love’ movement, The Times of India, 2 November 2014, 26 November 2014, NEWS,www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/kiss-of-love-supporters-face-case-for-obscenity-in-hyderabad/article6567793.ece, ‘Kiss of Love’ supporters face case for obscenity in Hyderabad, PTI, The Hindu, 5 November 2014, 26 November 2014, WEB,www.thenewsminute.com/telanganas/153, ‘It was not kissing fest, why a case of obscenity?’ asks Arundhathi, student of Hyderabad University, 7 November 2014, 26 November 2014, WEB,feministsindia.com/tag/kiss-of-love-india/, FeministsIndia, 26 November 2014, WEB,www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Its-Just-Celebration-and-Expression-of-Love-Say-IIT-Madras-Students/2014/11/15/article2524051.ece,www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Its-Just-Celebration-and-Expression-of-Love-Say-IIT-Madras-Students/2014/11/15/article2524051.ece," title="web.archive.org/web/20141117181400www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Its-Just-Celebration-and-Expression-of-Love-Say-IIT-Madras-Students/2014/11/15/article2524051.ece,">web.archive.org/web/20141117181400www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Its-Just-Celebration-and-Expression-of-Love-Say-IIT-Madras-Students/2014/11/15/article2524051.ece, dead, November 17, 2014, It’s Just Celebration and Expression of Love, Say IIT-Madras Students, The New Indian Express, 26 November 2014, Students from Jadavpur University and Presidency University, Kolkata organized similar protests against moral policing in Kolkata on 5 November 2014.WEB,zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal/kolkata-embraces-kiss-of-love-says-no-to-moral-policing_1494610.html, Kolkata embraces Kiss of Love, says no to moral policing, Zee News, 5 November 2014, 26 November 2014, NEWS,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Kiss-of-Love-spreads-to-Kolkata/articleshow/45056988.cms, ‘Kiss of Love’ spreads to Kolkata, The Times of India, 6 November 2014, 26 November 2014, The Kolkata chapter also protested against the authorities of north Kolkata’s Star Theatre for allegedly refusing entry to a 17-year-old girl because she was dressed in a skirt.NEWS,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Kolkata/Kolkata-theatre-screens-by-skirt-length/articleshow/45001125.cms, Kolkata theatre screens by skirt length, The Times of India, November 2014, 26 November 2014, On November 8, a group of protestors demonstrated by kissing and hugging outside RSS headquarters in Delhi.WEB,www.ndtv.com/article/cities/kiss-of-love-protesters-hold-demonstration-outside-rss-office-in-delhi-618124, ‘Kiss of Love’ Protesters Hold Demonstration Outside RSS Office in Delhi, NDTV.com, 26 November 2014, While JNU students were at the forefront, there were representatives from several universities in the city like Delhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Ambedkar University Delhi and National Law University.NEWS,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kiss-fest-near-RSS-office-in-Delhi-turns-slugfest/articleshow/45083193.cms?, ‘Kiss of love’ fest near RSS office in Delhi turns slugfest, The Times of India, 10 November 2014, 26 November 2014, Hindu Sena members arrived on the scene stating that the “Western culture was corrupting and degrading Indian culture”.WEB,indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/they-lock-horns-over-locking-lips/, Kiss of love campaign: They lock horns over locking lips, The Indian Express, 13 November 2014, 26 November 2014, Hindu Sena members tried to physically attack kissing couples.WEB,www.deccanherald.com/content/440425/kiss-love-fails-reach-rss.html, ‘Kiss of Love’ fails to reach RSS office, Deccan Herald, 9 November 2014, 26 November 2014, On November 9, a similar protest was organized by students in JNU campus, in solidarity with those who courted police action at the ‘Kiss of Love’ event in Kochi on November 2.NEWS,www.thehindu.com/news/national/kiss-of-love-held-in-jnu-campus/article6580587.ece, Kiss of Love held in JNU campus, PTI, The Hindu, 9 November 2014, 26 November 2014, A Kiss of Love event that was scheduled for 30 November in Bengaluru was canceled when permission for protest was denied by Bengaluru Police.NEWS,www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/kiss-of-love-no-one-can-take-law-into-their-own-hands/article6631699.ece, Kiss of Love: ‘no one can take law into their own hands’, Afshan Yasmeen, The Hindu, 25 November 2014, 26 November 2014, WEB,www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/2014/12/01/Kiss-of-Love-Protest-Off-Bengaluru-Cops-Alert/article2549233.ece,www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/2014/12/01/Kiss-of-Love-Protest-Off-Bengaluru-Cops-Alert/article2549233.ece," title="archive.today/20141208093042www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/2014/12/01/Kiss-of-Love-Protest-Off-Bengaluru-Cops-Alert/article2549233.ece,">archive.today/20141208093042www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/2014/12/01/Kiss-of-Love-Protest-Off-Bengaluru-Cops-Alert/article2549233.ece, dead, December 8, 2014, Kiss of Love Protest off, Bengaluru Cops Alert,

Legality

Section 294(a) of Indian Penal Code states that “Whoever, to the annoyance of others, does any obscene act in any public place shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both”.WEB,indiankanoon.org/doc/594493/, Section 294 in The Indian Penal Code, 26 November 2014, IPC does not define the word ‘obscene’, hence it is interpreted differently by different authorities. The Supreme Court has noted that “’obscenity’ should be gauged with respect to contemporary community standards”.S. Khushboo vs Kanniammal & Anr on 28 April, 2010 Supreme Court of India. Retrieved 26 December 2022The court has also observed that the “standards of contemporary society in India are…fast changing” in Chandrakant Kalyandas Kakodar vs The State Of Maharashtra 1969.Chandrakant Kalyandas Kakodar vs The State Of Maharashtra And Ors on 25 August, 1969 Supreme Court of India. Retrieved 26 December 2022 Regarding ‘contemporary community standards’, the Supreme Court has noted that it is not “the standard of a group of susceptible or sensitive persons” that can be held as the standard of the community, in Aveek Sarkar vs State of West Bengal (2014).Aveek Sarkar & Anr vs State Of West Bengal And Anr on 3 February, 2014 Supreme Court of India. Retrieved 26 December 2022 Regarding social morality, the Supreme Court has observed that “notions of social morality are inherently subjective and the criminal law cannot be used as a means to unduly interfere with the domain of personal autonomy” in Khushboo vs Kanniamal (2010). Now with regards to kissing and hugging in public places, the Supreme Court of India has made it clear that ‘no case can be made out’ of two people consensually hugging and/or kissing. Supreme Court gave this verdict in response to a petition filed by actor Richard Gere to quash the arrest warrant issued by a Jaipur court. The arrest warrant was issued after the actor had taken Shilpa Shetty in his embrace and kissed her on the cheek at an AIDS awareness program.WEB,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1564407/Shilpa-Shetty-questioned-over-Gere-kiss.html, Shilpa Shetty questioned over Gere kiss, Richard Holt, 27 September 2007, Telegraph.co.uk, 26 November 2014, A verdict by Delhi High Court has also made it clear that kissing in public is not a criminal offense.NEWS,timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Kissing-in-public-by-married-couple-not-obscene-HC/articleshow/4066941.cms, Kissing in public by married couple not obscene: HC, The Times of India, 2 February 2009, 26 November 2014,

Opposition

Kiss of Love was met with opposition and criticism from certain sections of Indian society. Several religious and political groups like Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, SDPI, Sunni Yuvajana Sangham, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Sena, Campus Front, Samastha Kerala Sunni Yuvajana Sanghom, Pattali Makkal Katchi, Hindu Makkal Katchi and Ernakulam wing of Kerala Students Union opposed this movement. These opposing groups claimed that public display of affection is against both Indian culture and the law of the land (under section 294 of the Indian Penal Code).WEB,indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/kerala-high-court-refuses-to-interfere-with-kochi-kiss-fest/:, Kerala Kiss Festival | the Indian Express, indianexpress.com,indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/kerala-high-court-refuses-to-interfere-with-kochi-kiss-fest/," title="web.archive.org/web/20141106022456indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/kerala-high-court-refuses-to-interfere-with-kochi-kiss-fest/,">web.archive.org/web/20141106022456indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/kerala-high-court-refuses-to-interfere-with-kochi-kiss-fest/, 2014-11-06, The Kerala State Women’s Commission opposed Kiss of Love stating that it was against the culture of Kerala.WEB,www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Cops-Flustered-as-Kochi-Pouts-Lips-to-Protest-Moral-Policing/2014/10/30/article2499431.ece,www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Cops-Flustered-as-Kochi-Pouts-Lips-to-Protest-Moral-Policing/2014/10/30/article2499431.ece," title="web.archive.org/web/20141101225717www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Cops-Flustered-as-Kochi-Pouts-Lips-to-Protest-Moral-Policing/2014/10/30/article2499431.ece,">web.archive.org/web/20141101225717www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Cops-Flustered-as-Kochi-Pouts-Lips-to-Protest-Moral-Policing/2014/10/30/article2499431.ece, dead, November 1, 2014, Cops Flustered as Kochi Pouts Lips to Protest Moral Policing, The New Indian Express, 26 November 2014, WEB,www.telegraphindia.com/1141030/jsp/nation/story_18980546.jsp#.VFt2WsmM8jp,www.telegraphindia.com/1141030/jsp/nation/story_18980546.jsp%23.VFt2WsmM8jp," title="archive.today/20141106132840www.telegraphindia.com/1141030/jsp/nation/story_18980546.jsp%23.VFt2WsmM8jp,">archive.today/20141106132840www.telegraphindia.com/1141030/jsp/nation/story_18980546.jsp%23.VFt2WsmM8jp, dead, November 6, 2014, Police lock on ‘Kiss of Love’ protest, The Telegraph, 26 November 2014, The proposed Kiss of Love event in Bengaluru received opposition from several quarters. Manjula Manasa, chairperson of the Karnataka State Women’s Commission described the event as uncivilized.NEWS,www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/its-uncivilised-says-womens-panel-chief-about-kiss-of-love/article6627635.ece, It’s ‘uncivilised,’ says women’s panel chief about ‘Kiss of Love’, Bageshree S., Laiqh A. Khan, The Hindu, 24 November 2014, 26 November 2014, Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha, several Congress and BJP leaders and various Hindutva proponents also opposed it.NEWS,www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/politicians-united-in-opposing-kiss-of-love/article6627586.ece, Politicians united in opposing ‘Kiss of Love’, Bageshree S., The Hindu, 24 November 2014, 26 November 2014, Bengaluru Police refused to give permission for the event, stating that kissing is an obscene actindian {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731065346indian/ |date=2013-07-31 }}express.com/article/cities/bangalore/bangalore-police-deny-permission-for-kiss-of-love/ Pramod Muthalik of Sri Ram Sena, the organization behind 2009 Mangalore pub attack, threatened to take the law into his hands if the campaign was held.NEWS,www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/pramod-muthalik-hisses-at-kiss-of-love-campaign/article6605450.ece, Pramod Muthalik hisses at ‘kiss of love’ campaign, Staff Correspondent, The Hindu, 16 November 2014, 26 November 2014,

Vigilante attacks

See also

References

{{reflist|2}}

Further reading



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