We have seen people being fined for spitting in the street, or littering in the lanes or even honking their car horns in the wee hours of the night. Now, in a new initiative, one council in the north of the country has come up with the idea of fining people who swear in the streets!
According to media reports, People in Salford Quayes will receive an on the spot fine for swearing in the street. It is not clear which words will be banned or whether the move will breach freedom of expression. The Council says that the order was brought in last year after they received complaints from residents about anti-social behavior.
Similar initiatives have already been in operation in some states in the U S.
Could such scheme of fining people who swear in public places work in certain cities in India which are world renowned for their swear words?
Swearing is so common that it is a way of life in places like Surat and other cities in Gujarat. The swearing here is harmless and the swear words are not meant to cause offence.
However, a similar scheme, if it can work, will put people off from swearing in public places. Pardon my language, but this could take the piss out of people who swear randomly!
Dinesh Sheth
Newbury Park, Ilford
