Responding to Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray's proposal for a "nightlife project" in Mumbai, BJP leader Raj Purohit said this could cause increase in crimes against women. "If a culture of alcohol gets popular, it will lead to increase in crime against women and there will be thousands of Nirbhaya cases. He should think whether such culture is good for India," he said, reported ANI.
Raj Purohit, BJP on Mumbai malls,eateries&pubs to remain open 24 hrs says Aaditya Thackeray: If a culture of 'alcohol' gets popular, it'll lead to increase in crime against women & there will be thousands of Nirbhaya cases. He should think whether such culture is good for India. pic.twitter.com/kK0jhwyc1D
— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2020
Aaditya Thackeray had on Saturday said shops, malls and eateries in non-residential areas of Mumbai will have the option of remaining open 24x7 from January 26, although it will not be made compulsory. Aaditya is said to be the prime mover behind the nightlife project. Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Sunday said the state cabinet will discuss the proposal on January 22. "The issue will come up for deliberations in the January 22 cabinet meeting. We have to see how much the city police will be burdened if shops, eateries and malls are kept open through the night. After detailed deliberations, a decision will be taken," Deshmukh told reporters. "Aaditya Thackerayji's nightlife proposal could be served better and implemented soonif it is limited to certain places like BKC, lower parel, marine drive and few other malls," he tweeted
Senior BJP leader Shelar said the party will welcome the move if it is aimed at benefitting small traders whose businesses are suffering due to online giants like Amazon and Flipkart. "However, if restaurants, bars and pubs remain open in residential areas, the BJP would oppose the move," Shelar said. He said the opposition party wanted clarity on rules and regulations regarding the new policy. "The BJP is against operation of pubs, discotheques and bars functioning full night," Shelar said.
Counting cons of the policy, he said police are already stressed due to long duty hours. "Morever, BMC staff will also need to be available throughout nights along withFDA personnel (to implement the policy). This iscreating additional pressure on them," the BJP MLA said.
-Inputs from PTI
