Bajrang Dal plots unilateral morality course

Patronised by diamond workers, mostly Saurashtrians living on their own, the video parlours in the labyrinthine lanes of Varachha were an open secret, not unknown even to the authorities. However, the recent murder of two schoolgirls — one of whom was raped before being killed — has built up public opinion against pornographic films, which many consider responsible for perverting young minds.

The Dal has extended the warning to cinemas screening such films and to police personnel, the latter “for taking hafta and allowing screening of blue films”, saying it would stone police stations and burn theatres if porn is shown.

The BD feels the increasing cases of crime against women stems from pornography, and from the inability of police to deal with it. It even held a dharna protesting against the police’s failure to arrest the killers of the two schoolgirls, and called it off only after Home Minister Haren Pandya’s intervention.

The unilateral war on porn has led to several cinema and parlour owners temporarily downing shutters or changing the fare offered. Another discernible change is in the advertisements for films: No longer do they carry lurid or titillating captions.

“We don’t want to invite trouble,” says Suresh Choski, vice-president of the Surat Cinema Owners’ Association, whose theatre is known for screening adult films. “It’s a strange situation; earlier, we were accused of not showing what was promised in the advertisement.” “I don’t rule out an attack on my theatre,” he adds. “We have our security, but we may need police protection. I was planning to convert the theatre into a commercial complex, and I might do it faster than I thought”.

“We show films bearing the censors’ certificate. No doubt, they (the films) are provocative, but are we responsible, ” asks the manager of Suraj theatre, another theatre noted for showing adult films.

Chandravijay Singh, the owner of Raj Palace — which bore the brunt of the attack- — is apprehensive but not scared. “We will apprise the distributors of what’s happening in Surat and let them take a decision on bringing such movies here”.

Not surprisingly, the police are unimpressed by the Bajrang Dal’s fervour; what particularly irks them is the charge of collusion with those showing porn. A sub-inspector at the Varachha police station claims porn is not on offer anywhere in Varachha; “if they have any concrete proof they should come to us we will book the owners”.