No Space For Love

Amidst news about the recent killings and deaths, another one stands out. A man dies while trying to save couples from drowning at Bandstand, a popular seafront promenade at Bandra, Mumbai.

Why?

Because of Love? Or space for love? Is it a crime to want to be with the person you love? Is it a crime to touch, feel or kiss that person?

I thoroughly disagree.

I would agree if people said is it okay to make love in front of people, nudity and obscenity and not acceptable, but kissing, hugging and holding hands is anything but that! We see it on T.V. everyday, so what's wrong in seeing it happen in front of our eyes?

Hypocritical as people are, they shun the couples away from every place... Gardens, Parks, Promenades and any public space you can think of.

What's the outcome? Couples are forced to spend time together in dark, lonely paths, go far out in depths where there aren't too many people, sit in dark theaters watching some crap movie, go to lonesome beaches... Isn't the society actually treating Love as a Crime? Why should they be forced to do it as if it were a shame? Why can't they be proud of it? Why can't they share the same space as the general public? Aren't they entitled to some space for themselves? Aren’t they a part of the same society?

Apparently not. Our society is full of people who believe that such “shameful” acts should be done behind closed doors and not in front of general people. They harbor thoughts that these acts shall incite further trouble. Not realizing that doing such acts in previously mentioned shady and secluded places incite more trouble, and in those situations, it’s difficult for the people to protect themselves against the perpetrators of the crime.

What would you do if a couple beside you were holding hands, hugging each other and kissing each other intermittently? In my observation, I haven’t noticed them do anything more physical than this. Let’s assume that this is what they generally do if they had to physically interact, so what would happen to the people around? Those who’re used to this behavior would go on as they always do. Those who are uncomfortable, may change their place or at most throw bad looks. What’s the worst case scenario? If it gets too much, someone will walk up and ask them to stop.

All I’m saying is, let’s not be hypocritical. Let’s give love a chance. Don’t sully it by calling it a shameful act, let the people be a judge of that. We have a constitutional right to expression, let it stand. Don’t shun those people into alleyways and seclusion, accept them in the open, and see their transformation. Our society would be a safer place to live. Each one knows his or her limits, it is only when you enforce bonds that a person will break them free, let him or her be free, and watch them rise!