It was like getting back to normal life after Athens opened its restaurants, cafes and bars doors across the country due to the restrictions caused by Covid-19. However, even if cafes, bars and restaurants opened, there’s still a curfew from 11.00 pm.

The controversial law banning dance bars in Maharashtra, which provided employment to thousands of women, was put on hold by the Supreme Court today.\r
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The Supreme Court stayed a 2014 amendment of the Maharashtra police act banning dance performances in various places including bars in the state.\r
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The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed 2014 amendment of Maharashtra Police Act banning dance performances in various places including bars in the state.\r
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Dance bars will re-open in Maharashtra following the Supreme Courts stay on a law banning dance performances in bars, hotels and restaurants in the state.

सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने महाराष्ट्र पुलिस कानून में 2014 में किए गए संशोधन के कार्यान्वयन पर गुरुवार को रोक लगा दी। इस संशोधन के तहत बार और कुछ अन्य स्थलों पर डांस कार्यक्रमों के आयोजन पर प्रतिबंध लगा दिया गया था। न्यायालय के आदेश के बाद अब राज्य में डांस बार फिर से खुलने का रास्ता साफ हो गया है। न्यायमूर्ति दीपक मिश्रा और न्यायमूर्ति प्रफुल्ल चंद्र पंत की पीठ ने ने कहा कि हालांकि, हम शर्त भी लगा रहे हैं कि डांस प्रदर्शन के दौरान किसी भी तरह की अश्लीलता वाली भाव भंगिमा नहीं होगी।

The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside certain provisions of a law imposing restrictions on the licensing and functioning of dance bars in Maharashtra. Modifying some of the provisions of the state law – the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016 – the apex court permitted the bars to function from 6 pm to 11:30 pm and also allowed sale of liquor in the premises.

Stating that there can be “regulations” but not “total prohibition”, the SC on Thursday set aside some provisions of a 2016 law imposing restrictions on licensing and functioning of dance bars. Noting that no license has been granted by the Maharashtra government since 2005, the Supreme Court reiterated that there may be some regulations but that should not amount to “a total prohibition.” The apex court also relaxed the stringent conditions set by the state government for getting a license for running dance bars, but upheld the time of five and a half hours for dance performances.

SC orders to reopen bars in Sindh

At least 77 bars in Kerala reopened on Sunday as a result of a change in the excise policy by the incumbent CPI(M) led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in the state. The bars will reportedly remain open from 11 am to 11 pm. However, in areas classified as ‘tourism zones’, they will remain open for service from 10 am to 11 pm.Earlier, the bars were shut down as a result of the excise policy implemented by the previous United Democratic Front (UDF) government.