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Notes -
I took it for granted that people were generally aware that PDA was a very bad idea in India, but if that's news to you, I don't mind elaborating:
In general, absolutely! People being outright lynched for it is hardly unheard of, and some kind of violence being inflicted on them is a daily occurrence!
That's just the extrajudicial punishment, there are vague laws against public indecency that are capriciously applied against you if some police officer has an itchy ballsack, or an urge to get a few extra rupees as bribes that day.
You might not be safe from your own family, in some parts, honor killings are rampant in some rural parts of India, and even in more metropolitan regions, you're risking grave disapproval, which can be of serious consequence if you're not already established with a job and independent wealth.
As is the case for pretty much every sweeping statement made of a country of a billion+ people, the severity of the infraction depends on specific circumstances.
Super posh area full of liberal Indians? Think a mall, nightclub or an airport? Nobody gives a shit.
Middle class area where it's not expected? Anything ranging from disapproving looks, tuts, busybodies inquiring "Do your parents lnow?", to insults and being harangued by the kind of middle aged men and women who have nothing better to do.
Relatively poor and backward area, somewhere out in the boonies? The above, plus a very real risk of being beaten up and even killed!
I'm less afraid of it than most, but even I very much acknowledge the danger. We've done it in quasi-acceptable places, but a railway station is absolutely in the second or third group.
If I had to guess why I got away with it, it's because it was a quick kiss or two, and not some long passionate smooch while bending her over, that would have earned jeers at the least, plus I'm a 6 foot tall, bearded and relatively well built guy, if anyone wanted to pick a fight with me, they at least need to think if it's worth it.
But in general, it's a pretty risky game to play. We're just head over heels in love and simply didn't care at the time.
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