
The 'anti-Romeo squads' are supposed to crack down on 'eve teasing.' And 'eve teasing' is the benign term used in India for sexual harassment.
Bhushan, who's also a public interest lawyer and founder of Swaraj Abhiyan, said there are gods in Hindu myths that are looked upon indulgently despite their being 'eve teasers'.
Romeo loved just one lady,while Krishna was a legendary Eve teaser.Would Adityanath have the guts to call his vigilantes AntiKrishna squads? https://t.co/IYslpP0ECv
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 2, 2017
That did not at all go down well with many people on Twitter, including at least one BJP Delhi spokesman called Tajinder Bagga who said Bhushan's comment "insulted" a deity.
Filing A police complaint today against Prashant Bhushan for insulting Lord Krishna https://t.co/JCCdkpbGsa
— Tajinder Pal S Bagga (@TajinderBagga) April 2, 2017
Bhushan then tweeted again, attempting to use logic to try and show why he wasn't being insulting and on the contrary was saying anti-Romeo squads amount to criminalising the behaviour of gods.
My tweet on Romeo brigade being distorted. My position is: By the logic of Romeo Brigade, even Lord Krishna would look like eve teaser.
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 2, 2017
As the controversy snowballed, Bhushan then tried to use lawyerly language to make his point even more clear.
My tweet on Romeo brigade being distorted. My position is: By the logic of Romeo Brigade, even Lord Krishna would look like eve teaser.
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) April 2, 2017
The former AAP leader's initial tweet was a response to his colleguae Anupam's tweet.
Anti Romeo Squad: India's tribute to Shakespeare! Won't b surprised if England, to fight eveteasing, forms Anti Krishn Squad in retaliation!
— Anupam (@AnupamConnects) April 1, 2017
During his campaign, Adityanath not only promised to set up anti-Romeo squads. He also said if "anyone is found teasing girls, they would be hanged publicly".
A mere two days after being sworn in, Adityanath made good on his promise. He intends these 'anti-Romeo' squads to be present in public spaces and educational institutes to prevent 'eve-teasing' and ensuring women's safety.
On day one after the announcement, 22 such squads, including policewomen, fanned out in Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi. They have continued to patrol since, but there have been allegations of moral policing and unwanted harassment of men by these squads.
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