Youths of Kolkata offer free hugs outside Dum Dum metro station where couple faced 'moral policing'

Youths of Kolkata on Wednesday offered free hugs outside the Dum Dum metro station in a protest against the assault on a couple spotted hugging onboard a train on Tuesday.

“Hugging is not something visually perverted. It is a show of affection,” they said.

Youngsters offer 'free hugs' to people outside Dum Dum metro station in kolkata', as a mark of protest against people who had reportedly beaten up a couple for hugging in the metro. Protesters say,'Hugging is not something visually perverted, it's a sign of affection' #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/Hr3UwVXfpY

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2018

On Tuesday evening, a man and his woman friend were beaten up for allegedly ‘standing too close’ and hugging each other.

Elderly men travelling on the same metro protested at their behaviour and started beating up the man. In trying to protect him, the young friend of his also got injured. A video that captured the shameful assault went viral as did the photos of the incident.

Metro Rail Kolkata issued a statement strongly opposing the incident.

“Dear commuters, we are trying to enquire into an incident which has allegedly taken place y’day at Dumdum Metro stn. No complaint has been lodged by anyone as yet. However, we are trying to get to the bottom of it……. But we would like to make one thing very clear… that Metro Rly IS AGAINST MORAL POLICING “.

Indrani Banerjee, Spokesperson of Kolkata Metro Rail said action would be taken in the matter if the victims came forward with an official complaint. She added that Kolkata Metro Rail does not support moral policing of any sorts.

“We have asked the station master, the RPF personnel on duty (about the incident), but none of them could confirm what happened. There is also no official complaint by any passenger. We are eager to conduct an inquiry if we get a lead." Indrani Banerjee said.  

According to various reports, a journalist, who was present during the incident, said that the train was crowded and the young couple was standing near the seats of senior citizens. The journalist added that the young man guarded the woman from others by keeping his arms around her shoulder, on which an elderly man got offended.

People came out in protest against the moral policing happening across the city by holding placards and demanded action.

Meanwhile, no complaint has been filed yet, police said.