Dozens of youngsters today gathered outside Tollygunge Metro station holding placards bearing slogan "Hok alingan (let's hug)" to protest against an alleged moral policing incident inside a train compartment recently.
Many of them were also seen hugging each other on the platform of the station this morning as a mark of protest.
According to media reports, a man hugging his female friend raised eyebrows in a train compartment on Monday. A few people objected to it, following which an argument ensued between the two sides.
The mob then allegedly heckled the couple, pushed them out of the train and beat them up, the reports said.
Kolkata is known for its liberal mindset and it has no place for moral policing, a college student, who participated in today's protest, said.
"We are here to protest against the moral policing that has taken place in our city. Our city is known as the city of joy and love. We have never witnessed such incidents before. It is completely shameful," he added.
Another student, who was part of the team that organised the demonstration, said, "A man and a woman hugging each other is no crime. It is a sign of affection, not perversion."
Indrani Banerjee, the spokesperson of the Metro Rail, said yesterday that appropriate action would be taken in the matter if the victims came forward with a complaint.
The Metro Rail did not support moral policing of any kind, she had said.
Photographs of the alleged assault have gone viral on the social media, sparking an outrage by authors, artists as well as common people.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
