BHOPAL: The Anti-Romeo Squad has come up to check eve teasing, stalking and harassment. Though the propaganda before election was to bring love jihad under control, the new UP CM has ordered to not trouble the couples but there have been several news reports about people being questioned even for sitting alone. The motto of the Anti Romeo Squad has changed after the elections and is now said to be for ensuring safety of women. Free Press asked a few youngsters about what they thought about the vigilante squad and its necessity not just in UP but anywhere or everywhere.
“Things are changing drastically in UP but such changes were not expected. Squads to protect women are needed but they are overdoing it. Everyone is aware about the election and how BJP won it. As such it is not believable that it is just to protect women. The police will have to be very active and conscious before questioning anyone but can that really be possible? As of the rule, it is needed everywhere but only to protect women and not to harass people or friends.”
Aishwarya Dwiwedi, student, IEHE
“There is a difference between squad for protecting women and squads meant to trouble people. It is much needed everywhere but the kind of moral policing these squads are doing is not acceptable. They are questioning anyone. Where the movements of girls are very frequent like schools, colleges, coaching classes, etc, it is good that police are present to keep a watch on stalkers and followers. Lets see what would be the outcome of this squad and how much safer it becomes for women. As of its need in Madhya Pradesh, I think it is not needed here.”
Shivam Mittal, student, MANIT
“I am from Uttar Pradesh and I know that this squad will turn into a moral policing squad. I saw in news reports about how people sitting alone were also questioned by these squads. As such it will become impossible for anyone to go out with friends. It is hard to trust the intention of this squad of protecting women from eve teasing and harassment.”
Akash Bansal, private employee
“The idea of squad is good but it depends entirely on the squad and people in the squad. India is culturally very dynamic and the thinking of people and their conduct mostly depends on their culture. So there are chances that the squad turns into moral police instead of protecting women at public places. Also, developing a separate squad for protecting women is good but naming it Anti-Romeo Squad seems more like moral policing squad to me.”
Snehit Kumar Rahul, student, IIFM
