Thousands join movement to ‘Save Delhi’s nightlife’, send petition to Prez, L-G and MPs

It began as an online petition to extend the operating hours of the city’s clubs, pubs and other watering holes. In a matter of weeks, it has turned into a full-fledged movement with thousands pledging their support and vowing to struggle till the goal of ‘saving’ the city’s nightlife is achieved.

The man behind the campaign - Save Delhi’s Nightlife is 32-year-old event manager Ashutosh Sharma who started the online petition 30 July to extend the closing time for the city’s bars beyond the present 1 am, depending on the location.

‘Over the years, this sector is shrinking due to the early deadline. People are gradually losing their interest in going out at night and partying, thus affecting the livelihoods of many,’ Sharma said. The Save Delhi’s Nightlife page on Facebook has over 6,000 likes while close to 1,500 people have signed the online petition which has been sent to President Pranab Mukherjee’s secretary and Delhi LieutenantGovernor Najeeb Jung, as also parliamentarians and senior government officials.

Sharma said bartenders, DJs, bouncers and even cab drivers, apart from the restaurant owners, are losing out due to the 1 am deadline.

According to Delhi Police, outlets in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area, essentially central Delhi, are allowed to remain open till 1 am while the others have to shut down by 12.30 pm. Police say the restrictions help maintain law and order in the city.

‘If clubs remain open late at night, incidents of crime and drunken driving will definitely increase. We have to follow the law,’ said a police officer, requesting anonymity. Sharma, however rejected the argument. ‘I know many people who always get a cab back home if they get drunk at a party. It all comes to behaving responsibly and whether you are going to a club or not doesn’t matter,’ he said.

According to the stakeholders, a joint effort between Delhi Police and outlet owners is the only solution. Sharma advocated the increased deployment of bouncers not only within the premises but also in their vicinity.