Mumbai:
A vacation court will today decide whether Mumbai can party beyond 1.30 am on New Year's Eve.
Hoteliers and pub owners have moved court after the city's police refused to budge on its decision that they must close shop sharp at 1.30 am on Wednesday. Cops say they are just ensuring the safety of women in the city.
Among those who have objected to the the police decision is 23-year-old Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray, son of party president Udhav Thackeray. "I read that Mumbai's Police Commissioner and State Govt have said no New Year celebrations beyond 1:30 am. I seriously hope they are kidding," he tweeted.
Mr Thackeray is the young face of the state's main Opposition party. In the past, the Shiv Sena has cracked down on young people celebrating New Year's Eve in an attempt at moral policing.
The Congress-led state government had earlier said that hotels, eateries and commercial establishments could stay open till 5 am on Wednesday, after getting individual permission from the city's Police Commissioner.
But Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh told NDTV, "The decision puts undue stress on the police force... though there were government orders, the discretion was of the Mumbai Police... we will not reconsider."
Mr Singh said the decision was taken to ensure that people, especially women, are not harassed by rowdy revelers.
Owners of stand-alone eateries and pubs say the order discriminates against them. "The commissioner issued a blanket order saying no eatery, hotel or restaurant should be opened beyond 1.30 am. Such a deadline is not imposed on five-star hotels and pubs. They are allowed to remain open till 3 in the morning. Why this discrimination? This is a very elitist outlook. Are only the rich allowed to party and celebrate?" asked lawyer Veena Thadani, who is representing the petitioners in court.
Many of these say they already spent a lot of money in planning big parties and have sold tickets too.