The controversial kissing competition held among the tribals have been banned. A senior Jharkhand MLA had courted controversy by holding a kissing contest to promote modernity in the state last year. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and legislator Simon Marandi had organised the kissing competition of tribal people. Photos and videos of tribal couples kissing in front of hundreds of people had gone viral on social media. After the incident attracted negative reactions, this year the competition will not take place.

Jitendra Kumar Deo, Sub Divisional Officer (SDO)of Pakur district said, "The Siddo-Kanhu fair beginning Saturday will have no kissing competition this year as it has been banned and there will be no such contest taking place in any public place." J'khand Govt to Extend Benefits to 67,000 Primitive Tribals.

During the kissing competition of tribal couples at Talpahari village, last year Marandi had said that it was organised to promote love and modernity. He also claimed that it will promote understanding between couples and prevent divorces. The incident was strongly condemned by the then ruling BJP government.

Here is a video of kissing competition held in Jharkhand last year:

Talking against the incident, Ramesh Pushkar, a senior BJP leader had last year told IANS, "What is the JMM trying to prove by organising such a competition. There are many ways that could be adopted to end the hesitation of the tribal people. Simon Marandi has tried to make a mockery of the tribal culture and tradition."

Taking a dig at JMM legislator Kunal Sarangi who planned on opening a bar in the Assembly campus, he had added saying, "One JMM legislator has asked for opening a bar in the Assembly and another legislator is organising a kissing competition."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2018 08:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).