The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld its October 15 order allowing dance bars in Maharashtra and asked the state government to decide on applications for licences within two weeks. PTI reported that the bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and PC Pant were displeased that the apex court’s earlier order had not been implemented yet.
The Supreme Court on October 15 had stayed a state law passed in 2014 which banned dance bars. The judgment also provided licensing authorities the power to regulate “indecent dance performances”. The state law was passed unanimously and overruled earlier judgments of the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court upholding the rights of women bar dancers to follow their profession.
CNN-IBN reported that the state government responded to the Supreme Court's order, saying it will be complied with, and licences would be issued in two weeks. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "We respect the Supreme Court's order. However, we are principally against opening dance bars. We will explore all legal options, including legislative intervention."
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