Why are 15 men booked for public urination in Ahmedabad?

Police booked 15 men for public urination as part of a women's safety drive, citing violations of the Gujarat Police Act.

Is public urination considered a sexual crime in Ahmedabad?

Activists argue public urination is a civic nuisance, not a sexual crime, and police action is a dangerous trend.

What is the toilet situation in Ahmedabad?

Ahmedabad has a significant shortage, with only one public toilet for every 18,000 residents.

Home / Crime and Justice / Ahmedabad's Public Urination Crackdown: Civic Nuisance or Crime?

Ahmedabad's Public Urination Crackdown: Civic Nuisance or Crime?

16 Dec

•

Summary

Ahmedabad police booked 15 men for public urination since November 19.
Critics argue public urination is a behavioral issue, not a sexual crime.
The city has only one public toilet for every 18,000 residents.

Ahmedabad's Public Urination Crackdown: Civic Nuisance or Crime?

Ahmedabad police have intensified action against public urination, booking 15 men since November 19 as part of a 30-day drive focused on women's safety. This crackdown, utilizing sections of the Gujarat Police Act related to indecent behavior and public nuisance, aims to reclaim public spaces. However, legal and activist communities express concern, arguing that public urination, while a civic issue, should not be equated with sexual offenses or harassment.

The initiative, spearheaded by the crime branch's women's cell, has raised debates about the application of law. Critics like Jharna Pathak of the Ahmedabad Women's Action Group emphasize that public urination is a behavioral problem requiring correction, not criminalization akin to flashing or sexual harassment. Advocate Ajj H Murjani points out the legal contention in invoking criminal provisions when the act is already a minor civic offense punishable by a Rs 100 fine from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.