The topic of the following presentation has been deliberately chosen to introduce conflict of concepts and values as suggested by the TOK guidebook. Therefore the

content is intended to be thought provoking, is intended to generate divergent values and reactions, and may be

perceived as controversial.

The views put forward do not necessarily reflect the values of the student authors of the presentation. Nor does

the presentation intend to advocate one Belief or set of values. The student authors have chosen to defend an

individual point of view in order to fulfill the assessment requirements of the presentation.

SAVE THE LAST DANCE

Exploring the controversy surrounding the banning of dance bars in Mumbai

\

WELCOME…To a Typical Dance Bar in

Mumbai

The Knowledge Claims

“These dance bars are

corrupting the moral fibre of our youth”

R.R. Patil, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra

KNOWLEDGE CLAIM #1

(Oxford English Dictionary 2001 )

to corrupt: to make evil or immoral

immoral: not following accepted principles of morality

What is corruption ???

immoral: not following accepted principles of morality

Morality: principles concerning good and bad or right or wrong behavior

DOES THE GOVERNMENT

HAVE THE RIGHT TO

DECIDE WHAT IS MORAL?

“The government believes the ban will encourage

people to work and earn a livelihood through other professions which are

dignified and socially accepted.”

Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chief Minister of Mumbai

KNOWLEDGE CLAIM #2

What is DIGNIFIED???

Dignity: state of being worthy of honor or respect

Respect: an attitude of admiration or esteem

www.dictionary.com

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Perception

Government

Bar dancers

Bar owners

Customers

Society

THE STAKEHOLDER

S

History

Dance emerged during the “Golden Ages” and was considered a form of worship

Mughal Era- Dancers branded as “keeps” which set the paradigm that has been

passed on through generations

CULTURE

Traditional Indian Culture

Popular Mumbai Culture

V/S

The Art of Dance

Dance is an artistic form of nonverbal

communication and an essential part of

most cultures

For example, belly dancing has been used for years to promote middle-eastern culture

So Why can’t bar-dancing be

accepted as a part of The

Popular Mumbai Culture?

Religion

Dance Bars can be viewed as

“SINFUL”…1. Lust is one of the cardinal sins in Christianity

2. Islam considers “Zina” or adultery one of the most heinous sins

3. The Gita, the holy book of the Hindus, condemns “sensuality”

4. “Kaam” or lust is one of the 5 main sins of Sikhism

IS IT IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE

TO FOLLOW SUCH A BELIEF ??

ETHICS

Which Family is more Important ??

OR

Is it ethical to destroy the families of 150,000 women only because of a conscious

decision made by the customers of these dance

bars ???

Will simply banning these

dance bars eradicate the

moral corruption of the youth.

Media

Does this not corrupt the

YOUTH OF THE COUNTRY ??

SO WHY THE BIAS AGAINST

THE BAR DANCERS ??

Bar Dancers Protesting Against the Biased Decision taken by

the Government

Politics

IT IS ALLEGED THAT…..

1) Bar Dance Union claims the Government demanded a bribe

2) America’s pressure on the Indian Government to stop traficking of

women and girls

The Constitution entitles every Indian citizen to the “Right to

Freedom”

Don’t these women have Freedom of Choice ?

English Translation: WE HAVE A RIGHT TO live too !

Economics

Employ 150,000 people including dancers, bartenders, bouncers and

waiters• Contribute a colossal Rs.500

million to the state revenue annually

DANCE BARS…

1)Increase in :a.Unemployment

b.Poverty c.Crime

2)Loss of State revenue

3)Dance bars will go underground

Possible Consequences of Banning Dance Bars…

The Feminist PERSPECTIVE

1) The presence of this industry encourages trafficking of women

and girls

2) Bar dancers are exploited by:

a. Bar Owners

b. Policemen

c. Customers

3) Derogatory to women

Is this ALL women are worth?!

LIMITATIONS TO KNOWLDEGE

1. Corruption and Dignity are both subjective concepts

2. Knowledge gained through Media

3. Reality is coloured by other’s bias opinion

CONCLUSION AND PERSONAL OPINION

So what IS MORE DIGNIFIED ?

OR

• www.timesofindia.com

• www.rediff.com

• www.ndtv.com

• www.dancewithshadows.com

• www.mid-day.com

• www.businesstravellerindia.com

• www.telegraphindia.com

• www.4to40.com/discoverindia/index

Outlook Magazine, June 6th 2005 Issue.

Yogeeta Manglani and Henna Motwani