BANGALORE: The municipal body in Bangalore, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has installed CCTV cameras in a park in Basavanagudi area of the city to "keep a watch on public display of affection and reduce social menace".

The move was spearheaded by mayor B S Satyanarayana who is the corporator for Basavanagudi.

Couples getting cosy will be monitored and thrown out of the park. The civic agency plans to install cameras in all other parks across Bangalore to reduce what it calls "anti-social activities".

"Bugle Rock is a pilot project. We will install cameras in other parks also. These are tourist spots. Many people visit the Bull Temple and the park. Lovers getting cosy in public places are anti-social. These anti-social activities put off tourists. After the cameras were installed in Bugle Rock, we have been able to reduce PDA by 80%," Satyanarayana told STOI.

The decision has led to adverse reaction in some quarters with this being seen as moral policing and an invasion of privacy. Sadhana Sanjay, a second-year law student of Christ University, said: "We must fight this. People need to be aware about their rights and laws in their country. Nobody has a right to tell me what I cannot do in a free country like India."

Sumathi Nagendra, homemaker and resident of Basavanagudi, agreed with the decision. "Such display of affection is a growing nuisance in parks. To some extent, a deterrent like this is required. I welcome the move," she said.

"Nobody is insane to go beyond limits to get 'cosy' as the BBMP thinks. Second, it is not what the BBMP is mandated to do. Who are they to ask couples to get out of the park if they hold hands or give a peck on the cheek. If the BBMP must install cameras, it must do so in buses and at bus stands to provide women safety," said Samarpita Samaddar, a resident.

Earlier this year, the state horticulture department had installed CCTV cameras in Nandi Hills which is a popular tourist spot. The department claimed it was done after receiving complaints from visitors.