SPA-GOERS CHEER HC RELIEF
Delhiites are happy as the High Court has allowed the Capital’s spa centres to run if all requirements are met
For some, a relaxing massage that soothes the muscles is a necessity, for others it is an indulgence that rejuvenates. A weekend spa package is also a common gift now. However, Delhiites were miffed as the authorities shut down several spa centres alleging, among other things, that many centres and those offering cross-gender massages run prostitution rings. The spa association approached the Delhi High Court and won temporary relief to run such facilities if they meet certain conditions.
And that has city dwellers feeling better. “I am glad. I’d be able to enjoy my spa time without feeling judged. It’s horrible to think cross-gender massages is immoral. My husband and I love couple massages, so, I opt for an allfemale masseur duo for us as I am more comfortable with a woman in our room than a man. And shutting down spas is not acceptable to me!
It’s as necessary as going to a gym,” says Surbhi, a resident of central Delhi. Agrees Supriya Gupta, a spa regular. “My friends had a spacation in the city for my bachelorette. One of my friends had her back totally jacked, so she asked for a male therapist as she needed pressure. So, if all spa facilities are coloured with the same stroke, it’s unfair,” she says.
Spa owners are happy. “It’s a big relief for us... This is absolutely unfair, you can’t take away our fundamental right to life and livelihood as enshrined in the Constitution of India,” says lawyer Kapil Chandna, representing the spa association which took many government bodies to court.
Earlier this month, Swati Maliwal, chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), claimed to have busted prostitution rings at some spas in West Delhi. The team also reportedly rescued nine girls. The authorities then shut down many spas around the Capital alleging they were running a sex racket. Reportedly, the DCW office issued 15 guidelines to issue licences to spa facilities, including a total ban on crossgender massages. So, spa owners in the city took the DCW, police and other parties to court. The HC has since passed an order saying if the petitioners (spa owners) meet all requirements for running the business establishments, they should not be unnecessarily harassed.
Chandna says, “Despite no laws to this effect, they are illegally closing the centres. There is no law yet which requires IDs of the customers to be taken by the spa centres or laws that restrict crossgender massage.”
A member of the South Delhi Spa Association, not wishing to be named, says, “Cross-gender massage is not illegal at all. If they ask us to hire girls above 18 or to have no latches on doors, we are fine with it. But they can’t say everybody is wrong.”
A female spa employee who has been working in Delhi for the last four years, feels: “Cross- gender spas is very common these days where men and women both work in the industry. I need to work to run my house. Yahan koi galat mahaul nahin hai.”
Raunak Mehta Sandhu, a crew scheduling officer from Delhi, says, “Cross-gender massage centres provide employment for many. While it is true that sex rackets also function under this guise, but it is silly to moralize crossgender massages. What should be monitored is whether or not women are being forced to work there. Exploitation should be stopped, but ban or shutting down is actually paternalistic.”
Despite no laws to this effect, they are illegally closing the spa centres. This is unfair, you can’t take away the fundamental right to livelihood as enshrined in the Constitution.
KAPIL CHANDNA LAWYER