Secunderabad draws PDA line: City not couple-friendly, feel most

SECUNDERABAD: Gen Y might have no complaints about women’s security in Secunderabad, but when it comes to moral policing, it’s thumbs down for the city. Their grievance: any gesture of affection in public, is misconstrued as obscene.
"Even those holding hands or hugging loved ones publicly come under scrutiny. It is very discomforting. Couples need friendlier public spaces," said Vyshnavie Yagnesh, a resident of Diamond Point, echoing the sentiment of many others.
According to a survey conducted by TOI, in association with Varenia CIMS, 52% residents in Secunderabad partially agreed for the need of safer public places which they could frequent without fear of being harassed or subjected to any kind of moral policing.They were seconded by 25% who completely agreed to the same.
"It is often the generation gap that leads to misunderstanding and unwanted harassment," said Dr Virinchi Sharma, a psychiatrist at Manasa. He added: "The way this generation thinks, is very different from the way earlier generations react and respond to situations. So, the whole concept of moral policing lies in a grey space where there is lack of understanding of each other’s perspective. Such cases of moral policing can be sorted out only through discussion and arriving at a conclusion where everybody agrees on a certain kind of perspective."
Misinterpretation of gestures is another reason that leads to unnecessary harassment, feel many residents. "Even if a man and a woman stand under a tree and talk, they are often judged by passers-by. The idea that ‘a boy and girl can never be friends’ is so deep-rooted in our society that many people end up resorting to moral policing only because they are not comfortable with the idea of two individuals, from opposite sexes, interacting with each other," said a young professional from Yapral on condition of anonymity. While cases of moral policing peak during Valentine’s Day, she said, daily instances of harassment is also significantly high. "But they mostly go unnoticed and unreported," she added.
Some residents put the onus on the couples and insist that they should abide by certain "societal norms". "We need to keep in mind the sensitivity of our surroundings. Certain gestures are not accepted by sections of society and is a reason for moral policing. Couples should, therefore, be more aware while in a public space," said Bhavani, a homemaker.