Spoil sports: Some couples race away from parks

While most couples celebrated Valentine’s enthusiastically, unlucky few were victim to harassment by groups of boys.

While most couples celebrated Valentine’s enthusiastically, an unlucky few were victim to harassment by groups of boys who scouted parks to heckle others. Many couples left parks and headed to cafes and hotels to finish off the final few hours of Valentine’s. Some couples had initial reservations about going to public spaces because of the cabal of boys.

Shama, a student of Punjab College, said that public parks were once safe for couples but now groups of boys roamed parks to harass others. She was leaving Model Town Park as she was not able to enjoy her time with her boyfriend because of such loutish behaviour. In Race Course Park, a boy wearing a burqa hugged a girl. The park management rushed to the scene when the girl kicked up a fuss. The boy was promptly kicked out and a stern warning issued to other young men.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2011.