Stop midnight parties on New Year's eve, they encourage drugs, sex: Karnataka moral police

The Karnataka Home Minister has refused to address to the demand saying people have no authority to make requests.

File photo: PTI

BENGALURU: After targetting Bollywood actor Sunny Leone over her earlier scheduled performance in Bengaluru on New Year, the moral police in Karnataka seems to have been irked with the New Year's Eve celebrations in the state. 

As per a report, several right-wing groups, including Bajrang Dal and the VHP, have approached the city police demanding the hotels here to be closed before midnight on the New Year's eve suggesting such parties encourage drugs and sex among youths. 

However, the state Home Minister has refused to address to the demand saying no one has an authority to make such requests."The Bajrang Dal and other people have no authority to say this. Every year they say like this. They have no right," Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said. 

Recently, a show by Sunny Leone, which was scheduled to be held on New Year's eve in Bengaluru was called off after severe protests by Kannada Rakshana Vedike Yuva Sene. The protesters not only burnt her posters but also reportedly threatened to commit mass suicide if Leone was allowed to perform at the event. 

In addition, the Bengaluru Police too denied giving protection to the actress during her visit to the city on New Year. They insisted on denying the permission to the actress saying they felt law and order may have become an issue for them. 

Later, Sunny Leone herself took to social media where she announced to withdraw herself from the New Year event saying 'safety is most important for her'. 

"Since the police of Bengaluru have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine, and all who attend, safety for my New Years event, my team and I feel, safety of the people should always come first. Therefore, I cannot attend. God bless and I wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year," Leone tweeted.

Last year, reports of mass molestation in the city's Mahatma Gandhi Road area had caused a massive public outrage and the police are taking extra care this time. 

The capital city of the state will turn into a fortress on New Year's eve as the Bengaluru police have decided to deploy over 15,000 personnel to avoid any untoward incident from taking place.