'Should we call police?' Delhi society’s WhatsApp chat on young couple sparks backlash

Delhi: A 20-year-old Delhi man was left stunned after receiving threatening messages from residents of his housing society on a WhatsApp group. His alleged crime? Holding hands with his girlfriend in a public park. The couple, who would sit on a bench and talk in the evenings, found themselves at the center of moral policing, as outraged neighbors discussed "teaching them a lesson" and even involving the police.

Threats and moral policing over innocent affection

The young man took to social media to share his distress, posting screenshots of the heated WhatsApp conversations. "Not sure where to post this, but I'm stressed right now. I usually hang out with my girlfriend downstairs in society, and we mostly just sit on a bench and chill around 8:30 pm. We never do anything morally indecent except holding hands and sitting close together," he wrote.

Despite this, one resident sent a message warning the group about the couple’s so-called "indecent behavior." The message triggered a flurry of responses, with some members proposing to record the couple and others calling for police action. "These shameless youngsters need to be set right," wrote one person. Another suggested taking the matter to the housing society supervisor, adding, "If the situation does not improve, police should be informed."

Calls for police action spark fear

The young man admitted that the WhatsApp discussions had left him panicked, especially after seeing members drag his and his girlfriend's parents into the debate. "They also spoke really not-so-nice things about our parents, saying they have failed at raising us. One person even suggested recording us and posting it online. We have never been approached directly by anyone about making them uncomfortable," he explained.

Outrage over moral policing

The post quickly went viral, sparking strong reactions against the housing society’s behavior. Many netizens condemned the excessive moral policing and the intrusion into the couple’s personal space. "What’s the police gonna do? Arrest you for sitting together or holding hands? There’s no need to fear these self-certified moral police if you haven’t done anything wrong—they have no real authority," one user wrote. Another added, "I hate this culture of poking your nose into other people’s affairs. This moral policing nonsense really needs to go. Probably one of the worst parts of Indian society."

A debate on personal freedom and privacy

The incident has reignited conversations about privacy, personal freedoms, and the deep-rooted moral policing in Indian society. While public decency is important, many argue that harmless displays of affection should not be criminalized or turned into community-wide moral debates. As outrage grows online, the couple remains shaken, hoping for a resolution that does not involve unnecessary public scrutiny or police intervention.