A pub in the Mundhwa area of Maharashtra's Pune city distributed condoms and Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets to invitees as part of its New Year's Eve party. The Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress lodged a formal complaint with Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar after visuals of the invite, along with the distributed items, went viral, according to a PTI report.
"We are not against pubs and nightlife. However, the marketing strategy to attract youngsters is against the traditions of Pune city. We demand strict action by police against the pub management," Akshay Jain, a member of the Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress, told PTI on Monday.
The complaint alleged that High Spirits Cafe used this marketing strategy to draw more patrons ahead of 31 December, ABP Majha reported. The Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress, in its letter to the police, described the act as "inappropriate for Pune's educational and cultural traditions" and raised concerns that such tactics might send "misleading messages to the youth and promote unhealthy societal habits."
A senior police officer confirmed to PTI on Sunday that statements from several invitees to the party have been recorded.
Pune Pub Says 'Not Committing Crime By Distributing Condoms' With New Year Party Invite
Meanwhile, the pub management defended its actions, asserting that distributing condoms and ORS packets was part of a safety and awareness campaign. "We are not committing a crime by distributing condoms. We are doing this in the name of safety and awareness. To create awareness among youngsters, we distributed condoms and sanitary pads," ABP Majha reported the pub management as stating.
The Pune Police are investigating the matter and have gathered details from the pub management, according to ABP Majha.