Bengaluru, Nov 26 (DHNS): The City police have refused permission for the controversial “Kiss of Love” event to condemn moral policing on November 30 here on the grounds that it promotes obscenity.

Police Commissioner M N Reddi said Rachitha Taneja, one of the organisers, had submitted a petition before the DCP (Central) seeking permission to hold the event on November 30.

The police wanted to ascertain the number of people participating in the event. Taneja said the organisers were not aware of the number of participants and refused to owe responsibility for any untoward incident during the event.

The police collected information from a neighbouring state where a similar event was organised and realised that such an event in a public place promotes obscenity. So permission was refused, said the commissioner.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Reddi said: “The organisers of Kiss of Love event failed to furnish crucial details sought by the Bengaluru Police. Moreover, they refused to owe responsibility for any untoward incident during the event. Hence, the police refused permission.”

The commissioner clarified that permission was refused under Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code (obscene acts and songs) and provisions under the Karnataka Police Act 65.

The aim and objective of the event remained unknown. After much deliberations and considering the pros and cons, the police decided to refuse permission, Reddi added. As the number of people supporting the event went up by the day, so did those opposing it.