Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14, is an opportunity for couples to express their affection with greetings, gifts and other gestures. Couples sometimes also engage in public displays of affection (PDA), such as holding hands, hugging, or kissing.
Here's a fact for couples looking to publicly express their affection: Did you know that epidurals can have unexpected legal ramifications?
Public displays of affection are not in themselves a crime in India. However, police often use Section 294 of theIndian Penal Code(IPC) which states that the law can punish anyone who harasses others for:
(a) commit an obscene act in a public place, or
(b) Singing, reciting or uttering songs, ballads or obscene words in or near public places.
The penalty is imprisonment for up to three months and/or a fine.
Proof of harassment is essential for committing a Section 294 offense, and PDA can be considered a lewd act of harassing another person. It suffices that the lewd act be committed in public and provoke the ire of any person, whether or not he is the intended victim of the perpetrator. Police can arrest any Section 294 defendant without a warrant.
Consider this a friendly warning to couples looking to celebrate Valentine's Day together to avoid unintended consequences!
FAQs
What is too much PDA? ›
It really isn't necessary. Public displays of affection are natural; it's a part of human nature. However, just like anything else taken to the extreme, a great deal of it is just not. Excessive PDA is people wanting to put on an act, that many us of rather not see.
Is public display of affection insecurity? ›An occasional public display of affection is okay, but if your partner does it all time, it might be a red flag. Wanting to show your relationship off to others is a sign of insecurity and if your partner just doesn't know how to keep their hands off you, even in public, it might mean they are lusting after you.
How do you tell someone to stop PDA? ›If you are uncomfortable with PDAs, then you just need to speak up and tell him. I don't like holding hands in public or kissing and making out in public. Explain where you draw the line and ensure that he understands where that line is. There shouldn't be any feelings to hurt.
Does hugging count as PDA? ›As many people know, PDA is 'Public Display of Affection' which is showing affection to someone else in a public area. PDA can be hugging, kissing, holding hands, touching, and many more ways of showing affection. It also can be performed with any type of relationship like dating or married, friendships, and much more.
What level of PDA is OK? ›“PDA is totally fine if you're holding hands, putting your arm around your partner, or giving someone a quick kiss, but anything more than that crosses a line,” says Anjali Mehra, a relationship therapist from Mumbai.
Why is PDA not OK? ›Further, those who display affection in public demonstrate a lack of social awareness and an ignorance of others' comfort. They either do not know they are making others uncomfortable, or they do not care. Both are equally disrespectful — and cringeworthy.
Is PDA disrespectful? ›“PDAs are considered rude because no one really wants to watch a private act carried out in public.
Why do men do PDA? ›For men, a whopping 59% said that they did it to boost their image and 39% said they figured "why not?" The study focused mainly on male-female make-outs, but 13 women in the study said that they had engaged in performative PDA with another woman.
Why do some guys like PDA? ›The number one reason people showed PDA was "to enhance their image or status by proving they were capable of making out with a particular person." Others wanted to broadcast their love to the world, some were doing it for the thrill of breaking a taboo, and a few didn't really care where they were—they just wanted to ...
Why do some people do so much PDA? ›The number one reason people showed PDA was "to enhance their image or status by proving they were capable of making out with a particular person." Others wanted to broadcast their love to the world, some were doing it for the thrill of breaking a taboo, and a few didn't really care where they were—they just wanted to ...
Why do some couples have so much PDA? ›
“Generally, we might be more likely to engage in PDA when we're feeling confident and secure in ourselves. And the early flush of excitement that comes from a new relationship can boost these feelings of security, leading to lots of public displays of affection.”
Is PDA healthy for a relationship? ›PDA strengthens the bond by showing affection in public, and you can get rid of insecurities. Being affectionate in public shows that you are serious about your partner and are proud of them.
What is the full form of PDA in love? ›PDA noun [C] (LOVE)
abbreviation for public display of affection: something such as a kiss or loving touch that is given in public: A PDA from your parents is just embarrassing.