Bengaluru Couple Engages in PDA Inside Metro Train, Police Respond

The public display of affection or PDA is a contested topic in India. With the passing of time, more people are getting comfortable with the idea of seeing couples engaged in PDA. However, the general sentiment is still against the display of affection publicly. Recently, an X user shared a video that showed a couple standing in an embrace inside the metro. The faces of the couple are hidden. The X user tagged the official account of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited and Bengaluru City Police and wrote, “Hey what is happening in Namma metro? Slowly Bangalore metro is turning into Delhi metro. Take some action on them. The girl was literally kissing the boy.”

This post has now divided people. While many argue that PDA in public places makes others uncomfortable and is against public decency, the other side claims that PDA should not be an issue in today’s age and instead, the person who made and shared the video should be penalised for breach of privacy.

The Bengaluru City Police commented on this video and wrote, “Noted, Please provide your contact number via DM.”

An X user wrote, “It is illegal to take video of people without their consent and it is actually punishable by law under section 354C IPC with maximum imprisonment of 3 years. So what you did is illegal by law and a case must be filed against you for capturing video without the consent of minors.”

Sharing a similar sentiment, another person wrote, “People like you will travel outside India and find it okay hugging/kissing without realising the problem is you guys here in India. Nothing wrong here. Just some expression of love. Ideally, there should be a case against you for filming them without their consent.”

Another person observed, “I do not see any kissing, just hugging. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. Main question is what should be deemed wrong? Hugging in public? Little peck on cheeks or lips? Full nonstop kissing on lips? What level of PDA is deemed obscene?”

Expressing a more conservative thought, an X user wrote, “All people please imagine, if you are travelling with your kid and in front of you such a romance is going on, then how will you act? Kissing, hugging, or any kind of romance in public places is not to be allowed.”

Making a similar point, another person wrote, “Well, Metro and public places are not sites for X movies. If the young couple does not know how to behave in a public place they must go to counseling sessions. One must exercise self-control and maintain decorum in Public Places. Shame on those parents who do not teach their kids.”

Overall, there is no public consensus about PDA. Similarly, in legal terms, PDA remains a highly subjective topic. What might look offensive to some, can be normal to others.