Andhra Pradesh state will again see the operation of dancing bars, particularly in Hyderabad. A recent ruling from the Supreme Court allows dance bars to resume business in Maharashtra. The judgment, which binds all states, stated that a ban on dancing bars was in violation of the 'Constitutional right to earn a living'.

In Hyderabad, the Orchestra Artistes Association have plans to appeal the state government and high court to re-open their businesses in the city. Singing, orchestra and dancing were banned in bars since 2008 in the city. Police followed a HC judgment and booked cases against violators, making dance bars become regular bars.

Citing the SC judgment, bar owners and artistes’ associations can ask the High Court to allow them to resume their businesses. About 2,000 artistes in Hyderabad, both female and male, have reason to suffer for lack of employment. In Mumbai, banning of dance bars due to indecent exposure led to several women committing suicide as they had no income source anymore.

AP High Court Assistant Solicitor-General of India Vishnuvardhan Reddy was quoted by Deccan chronicle as saying that bar owners have to take amusement licenses from the authorities concerned even for orchestra singing and that the judgment is not a licence for bar owners to display vulgar dances.

(AW: Sruthi)