No birthday bumps, cake smearing: Gujarat bans public birthday celebrations
If you are in Gujarat and your friend's birthday is coming up, you might want to steer clear of making the celebrations a public spectacle. If you won't, you might just land up in jail. As per a new order, which was issued on Monday, Surat police has banned any birthday celebrations in public. Why would they do that? Read on to find out.
Violations to result in punishments under IPC Section 188
Surat Police Commissioner Satish Sharma issued the prohibitory orders on Monday, following which, Assistant Commissioner of police, special branch, PL Chaudhary issued a circular under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC): unlawful assembly. Violation of the order would result in punishments under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) - disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.
Celebrations involving sticky tape, foam, chemicals, cake, etc., banned
A copy of the order, written in Gujarati, was posted on Twitter by a lawyer on Wednesday, which revealed, that any sticky tape, chemicals or foam, or cake can't be forcefully smeared onto a person. Additionally any form of "violent beating" is also banned. Reportedly, patrol teams have been instructed to keep an eye out for such celebrations and intervene if they spot anything.
Here is a copy of the order translated in English
Here's why this order has been issued
Speaking to The Times of India about why this order has been issued, Sharma said, "We received information about incidents in which individuals suffered injuries in birthday celebration. On Dumas Road and some bridges, such incidents were reported. Considering this, the order has been issued."
The ban is temporarily enforced from May 14-July 12
"This notification has been issued to give out a clear message and create awareness among people that certain types of celebrations are life-threatening and should be avoided," Sharma told TOI. He added, "Police will not only book those involved for violation of notification but for thrashing and other related offenses as well." The order will be enforced temporarily from May 14 to July 12.
Ban imposed after complaints from Surat residents
Reportedly, Surat residents had raised concerns over public birthday celebrations on social media alleging that several school/college students were causing a disturbance and vandalizing public property while celebrating. "A young man whose birthday was being celebrated was tied to a light pole and later eggs were thrown at him. The boy fell on the ground when freed by neighbors," said the sources.
In several Gujarat districts, mobile game PUBG is also banned
Separately, in several districts of Gujarat, popular online game PUBG was banned in March. A week after its imposition, Rajkot police arrested at least 10 people for playing the game. After facing flak, the ban was lifted in Ahmedabad back in April.
