“This is not a question of whether the event is right or wrong, but about our freedom of expression and right to hold a gathering,” said Vijayan Kallin, media coordinator for the Kiss of Love in Bengaluru, in response to the controversy and denial of police permission for the event.
He added that the organisers are finding new ways to reach people and gather crowds, and are determined to challenge the police orders. In fact, to add to the strength of the campaign, organisers from other cities are also likely to participate in the protest. Asked if the protest will be subdued, the organisers said that the movement would get stronger.
However, he said that the event may or may not involve people kissing. “We are not organising a kissing competition. We only want to protest to present our anti-fascist and anti-moral stance. But if people want to kiss, we cannot stop them from kissing. It is going to be a visible and strong statement,” he said.
After a meeting with the Additional Commissioner of Police Alok Kumar, the organisers, in a press statement, said that they had not received an official letter denying permission. Contrary to police claims that permission was denied as details pertaining to date, time and venue were not specified, the organisers said that they had submitted adequate information to the police.
City Police Commissioner M.N. Reddi said, "If they were going to conduct the campaign despite our orders to the contrary, why did they seek permission in the first place? If they go ahead, it will be a breach of law. We will have to take necessary action.” The form and content must not objectionable if they wanted permission to protest, he added.
They group claimed that the police said that the name Kiss of Love is sensational and has to be changed. The police wanted one person to take full responsibility.
“But this is a movement formed through a Facebook collective and is being organised by a group of volunteers. A single person cannot take the responsibility of the whole protest. We are willing and ready to take the responsibility as a group,” Mr Vijayan said.
