You can't beat this — the Andhra Pradesh government has banned dancing in clubs, bars and pubs to prevent law and order problems.
Orchestra and singing accompanied by eating and drinking, however, has been permitted at these places if the managements obtained amusement licences.
How amusing.
We have been told as much by none other than the home minister of the state, K Jana Reddy. No, he did not convey this to us personally. He chose to announce this in the state Assembly during question hour on Friday. [Link]
Reddy said the government had banned dancing though only obscenity in it was objectionable. The step was taken in view of law and order concerns arising from obscene dancing. Otherwise, the government had no objection to singing and dancing because it was all there on TV and cinema screen.
The Minister assured the House that there was no question of giving permission for dancing in clubs and bars in Hyderabad. The High Court had given powers to the Commissioner of Police to initiate action if dancing was noticed. Eight cases were booked for violation of ban in Hyderabad and Cyberabad police limits in the last three years. He admitted that the clubs and bars were kept open till midnight.
Earlier, D. Manikya Varaprasada Rao (Congress), who raised the question, demanded a law exclusively to deal with obscene dances. A separate machinery should also be created to monitor the menace.
Mabe the Congress legislator meant a separate "ministry". These days you never know when such a portfolio might be created.
