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The Supreme Court’s decision asking the state to grant licences to dance bars owners within 10 days has been welcomed by Indian Hotel And Restaurant Association (AHAR), while a united Opposition has taken the opportunity to take a dig at the BJP saying it was in a nexus with bar owners.

Meanwhile, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, in a series of tweets, indicated that the government was contemplating to move a suitable legislation in the state legislature to regulate dance bars in the state.

Mr Fadnavis added that the government would approach the SC with an alternative. Later, minister of state for home (urban) Dr Ranjit Patil stated that the government would try to draft legislation with stringent provisions for operating dance bars.

AHAR president Adarsh Shetty said, “We welcome the SC’s verdict. We are thankful to the SC that it has enabled bar dancers to feed their children respectfully.” He asserted that Dance Bar Association members wanted to make the profession transparent and that the judgment would reduce prostitution. “Prostitution is not associated with working in dance bars. It was just magnified by the government’s decision. When these girls were out of work, they were forced to resort to prostitution,” he said.

Meanwhile, Congress president Sachin Sawant said the government deliberately took a soft stand. “The government has failed to put forth its position because they have a hidden nexus with dance bar owners. This made them take a soft stand. Also, the conditions put forth by the government were only a face saver,” he said.

The NCP too claimed there is a nexus between the government and dance bar owners. “For 13 months between November 2013 and December 2014, they did not file an affidavit in the SC. They have failed to handle the issue properly. We are sure they won’t bring in a legislation to respect their deal with owners,” NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said. The SC on Wednesday asked the Maharashtra government to grant licences to dance bar owners within 10 days after they comply with modified conditions.

Dr Patil said that the law and judiciary department would be asked to form a panel of legal experts to redraw the existing law and thereafter it will be moved before the legislature.