After rape, Bengal govt clamps down on nightclubs

Excise dept orders Kolkata dance clubs to wind up by midnight

Following the recent alleged gang rape of a woman in car here, the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government has directed the excise department to refrain from issuing late closure licences (LCL) to nightclubs.

The nightclubs have been instructed to shut shop at the stroke of midnight, after suggestive remarks by some Trinamool Congress leaders that shutting them down would prevent rapes. The oblique reference was to the grang rape of a 37-year-old woman who visited a nightclub on Park Street the night she was sexually assaulted in a car.

An excise department official said: “We are not issuing any LCL to the nightclubs from next month and they should shut down after midnigh.”

When asked whether the excise department was acting under directions of the state government, the official said: “It has been decided by the excise department. There are some technical things which cannot be disclosed”.

A senior Kolkata Police officer said: “We have not received any such directive so far. If we get any information we will definitely take action”. 

After the Park Street incident, Transport Minsiter Madan Mitra, considered close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while holding the woman responsible for staying out late, hinted that the nightclubs were breeding grounds for rapes.

Even the lady was not in favour of shutting down nightclubs after midnight. Speaking to Deccan Herald, she said: “I don’t think this is the right way to deal with the situation. The government wants to control crime and not deprive the people of their rights. They have every liberty to enjoy. The government should provide more security on the city’s streets.”

The state government’s move has been criticised by all sections of society as well as nightclub owners, DJs and club-goers.

“This is truly disappointing that due to a single unfortunate incident, which we strongly condemn, the late closing license has not been granted. This is definitely going to impact the hospitality sector, music and entertainment, tourism, taxes and investments,” said a spokesperson from The Park, an Apeejay Group property.

“The new regulation will affect our clientele and mar the city’s nightlife. There will be no use having nightclubs in the city then. Restaurants are open till midnight so people would patronise them,”Shisha nighclub assistant manager Sheik Shamim said.

“The state government is trying to act like a moral guardian but it has no right to do so. Infact, it has failed to maintain law and order and is instead blaming us,” said a nightclub DJ, adding that his job is now at stake.