Why the Bangalore Shut Down Rule is Nonsense..

Note: This is long, but it is worth the read. Context: Bangalore has implemented a shut down rule of all clubs, bars, restaurants and other commercial establishments by 11:30 PM on the grounds of 'safeguarding our security'. Also known as the 'we can't do our job' rule.


You walk into the only coffee shop in the town. There could have been more, but that would have been wasteful, most of the townsfolk thought. One coffee shop for everybody's needs - efficient.

You say, "Can I get 1 Large Hot Coffee? Make it strong."

The barista says, "Suure, that'll be 50 million Zimbabwean dollars (why not?)."

You pay. You wait. After a while, the barista returns.

"Here you go! 1 Medium Cold Milk, as you needed."

"What! I didn't order milk! I paid you for hot black coffee!"

"I know. But you see, if we give you something hot, there's a good chance you're going to burn yourself. Why take the risk? We decided to make it cold. And coffee isn't the healthiest, is it? So we decided to give you milk instead. And portion control is the best way to prevent obesity - so medium instead of large! Hence, here you go - 1 medium cold milk."

Do you think you've been treated fairly here? If you don't think so, then I'm sure you agree the Bangalore Police don't really have a case for shutting down all commercial establishments after 11:30 PM. Let us look at their arguments and some key points closely:

1. "It is for your security. Our expert analysis tells us that more crimes happen at night than day! But if everyone is asleep at night - then no crimes, right?"

Well, good observation, Sherlock. You're right. Crimes do tend to happen more at nights. Generally, because there are /less people/ out on the streets at night. Impose a curfew, and in part, don't you leave citizens who are outside more vulnerable to attack?
Also, I feel like a few of my rights are being infringed upon here, as a citizen and potential business owner. And if it is for security, that's fine. But you have to prove how this makes things more secure.

Perhaps, they feel, everything depends on simply the absolute number of crimes. Lesser people outside at night and the absolute number of crimes might reduce. But the crimes/(no. of people outside) should surely be higher - thus making it more unsafe.

A city that doesn't sleep is far safer than a city forced to sleep at 11:30. Or so I think. I'll need to look into figures on this a li'l closer.


2. "We don't have enough police officers to monitor the city."

Well, should have thought about that before you took your cut from the taxes, eh? We pay taxes and the police have a monopoly over our security. It is their responsibility to prosecute those who commit crimes and prevent crimes from occurring as long as they don't interfere with our rights. They are welcome to issue a warning and if citizens still want to head out and party - cool. They'll police with as many police officers they want and do their best, resource willing. They won't be held culpable (they aren't) if a crime occurs, but they'll have to catch the culprit, set up strict punishments to act as deterrents and continue to let people make the choices they want to make to live their life.
(Ciggies aren't that good for us either. Ban them as well? Oh, can't. Marlboro's cash payment just came in...)


3. People who are going to commit crime aren't going to say, "OH! Dude, the cops said curfew. I guess we won't commit crime tonight. Let's pack up boys and hit the sack."

They will still be on the streets. And so will fewer innocents. Leaving innocents more vulnerable. More people around, more people awake, naturally, the safer the city. Citizen vigilantism is severely underestimated (look at Batman).


4. "It isn't moral to party or dance or drink alcohol or...um...dance."

Well, that isn't any of your concern, Mr. Police Officer. Your job is to keep us safe (refer to the above points), not to pass moral judgements on our lives. That job is reserved for the State Government. You see, we elect the State Government - they represent our views. If they pass a law saying it is immoral to dance and drink and live, fiiineeee - we asked for it, we elected them (and the electorate has spoken). But the man issuing these orders has not been elected into power. In some contorted way he is responsible to the CM who is responsible to us, buuuut, it is not his mandate to issue rules governing moral behaviour - that right is reserved to the State Government.


5. "All establishments must close. Oh. Except Empire. They can stay open. They serve food for people who need it in the nerve centre of the city."

Obviously not verbatim, but there was a notice passed around that said Empire Hotels can stay open later because, you see, Church Street is a busy place with lots of people who need to be fed. Of course, there are no other eating establishments on Church Street that can serve food. Of course, only Empire can cater to everybody's needs. Why Empire? Or rather, why only Empire? They did promptly revoke this, but it offers keen insight into the wallets...I mean, minds of our wonderful guardians.


6. This is horrible for business owners and the economy.

There exists a significant market for profit in a vibrant nightlife. In a metro like Bangalore especially. Business owners lose out, not just citizens. They're being robbed and don't know it. How can Bangalore be a city to live in when it's true economic potential can't be reached?

Who are you kidding, really? Security - hardly. Morality - you have no right. So then why does this rule stand? I don't want to believe it is fully constitutional (it'd break my heart; some democracy, some liberty).


The system is failing us. Sehwag for Prime Minister! 

Woof.

'Woof,' a friend of mine said to a puppy. Woof. She wanted to speak to it, communicate with it, understand it. Most would think that that's rather silly - haha, they'd say, a girl talking (barking) to a dog. And I admit, it paints a funny picture. But I think the idea behind it is rather noble.

Have you ever looked at a dog, and wondered what it thought, what it felt? Dogs always seem to have a face filled with deep wisdom, especially when their bellies are rubbed. But how often do we peer into their world, into anybody else's world? How often do we sit back and watch the world from the eyes of another, feel what they feel, hear what they hear and see what they see - four legged or two?

I don't think often enough.

But so what? Well, I think perspective is really important. I think the more perspective you have, the better. I don't think knowing only your perspective will ever be enough. I think you can sometimes learn things that will make you feel very good when you can see things from other peoples' perspective. But mostly, you'll understand where everyone comes from. So when you want to know how to make someone happy, or not make them sad, you'll know, because you can see things from their perspective. (I've used the word 'perspective' a lot, I know. I'm just driving home a point!)

You know the beautiful thing about a game like Counter Strike? When you're alive, it's a first person shooter. When you die, you can see things from the third person point of view, OR, through the eyes of another. The perspective (I should probably do a count on how often I use this word) that gives you when you're alive next time is fascinating, things are - but they are through eyes not only your own. (Deep, I know)

In poker, if you limit your perspective to yourself, you'll never win. Playing your cards is hardly important, playing your players is the key (God, how old is this rhetoric) - you need to get into the mind of your opponent, understand why people do what they do, and only then can you exploit that and profit. And everybody likes profit, baby.

I'll tell you how. Ani used to play straightforwardly (I use the phrase 'used to' lightly - he plays differently now, but I can't really say any better), when he was nervous (big hand or weak hand), he'd whip out his cellphone and text someone - so you'd know when he was polarised.
Nishant, on the other hand, sometimes picks up his big value chips if he thinks you're going to bet (and doesn't want you to), which tells me it is a good time to bet.
And Raashid, oh Raashid, gets this evil glint in his eyes when he wants to pull off some hero bluff.

You don't see these things if you're only playing your cards, your hands, your tendencies. You need to understand the tendencies of others, every now and then. You need to step outside the confines of your mind, your eyes and see the world not as you, but rather, as the world sees itself.

So the next time you see a girl barking at a dog, don't rush to laugh and point. Instead, take your time, understand how awesome she is for trying to understand, communicate; and theeeenn laugh and point.