Title: The Challenges Unmarried Couples Face in Seeking Privacy at Indian Hotels: A Policy Perspective
In the bustling heart of India, a prominent budget hospitality booking platform named OYO Rooms has stirred up a wave of discussions, both within and beyond its borders. The reason behind this stir? A change in policy specifically targeting Meerut, a city about 50 miles northwest of Delhi. This new policy allows OYO's partner accommodations to deny bookings from unmarried couples at their discretion[1][2][3].
This move, announced in early January, has sparked controversy, given OYO's long-standing reputation as a haven for unmarried couples seeking privacy and intimacy[1]. The tagline "no questions asked" echoed throughout the nation, with everyone knowing that OYO isn't just a hotel chain, but a provider for couples seeking privacy[2]. However, Indian customs, which heavily frown upon unmarried couples sharing a room, may have impacted OYO's decision[1].
Beginning its services in 2012, OYO quickly distinguished itself as a solution for the growing group of travelers who found it challenging to find accommodations as an unmarried couple[1]. By tagging hotels as "couple friendly" on its app and website, OYO inspired other start-ups such as Stay Uncle, Brevistay, and Nestaway to follow suit by offering rooms for hours and rental properties that assure safe access to unmarried couples[1].
However, while this decision might seem small in the grand scheme of things, it symbolizes the continuous clash between traditional Indian values and an evolving, modern society[1]. Shagufa Kapadia, a professor at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, adds that privacy, representing an individual’s right to be unfettered, is antithetical to the Indian cultural context, which is collectivist[1].
OYO has justified its decision as a response to the feedback it has received from civil society groups in Meerut and other cities[1]. Pawas Sharma, OYO's North India region head, stated that the company respects individual freedoms and personal liberties, while acknowledging its responsibility to engage with civil society groups[1]. Despite this decision, OYO remains committed to upholding safe and responsible hospitality practices[1].
This move towards reinforcing traditional Indian values has led some to question if OYO is reinventing itself as a family-friendly platform, as a recent ad may suggest[1]. In the ad, a married couple seeks permission from their parents to spend time alone in an OYO hotel, only to be greeted by the message, “This is not that OYO hotel”[1].
Meanwhile, the hotel managers in Meerut find themselves with mixed feelings about this policy change[1]. While some welcome the opportunity to avoid any scrutiny, others have maintained that they will uphold the principle that all adults are free to choose who they allow into their hotels, as long as it abides by the law[1].
For the LGBT+ community in India, this latest policy change is a source of disappointment[1]. Even with the ability to secure a hotel room, feeling judged remains a persistent issue, making it nearly impossible for same-sex couples to enjoy a private moment without fear of judgment or harassment[1]. When hotels listed on OYO's platform deny unmarried couples, it leaves individuals and couples in smaller cities like Meerut with fewer alternatives, making it almost impossible for them to find a safe, private space[1].
India's hotels remain under no legal obligation to turn away unmarried couples[1]. However, given the pressure from certain groups, hotels have been known to deny rooms to unmarried couples, with the support of local authorities[1]. In 2015, police in Mumbai rounded up several couples, prompting the Bombay High Court to rebuke the actions of the police for violating the right to privacy, which is guaranteed by the Indian Constitution[1].
In conclusion, OYO's decision to allow hotels in Meerut to deny bookings from unmarried couples has drawn attention and criticism, giving an insight into the ongoing struggle between traditional values and modern society in India. Regardless of the dismay this decision has brought, OYO remains vigilant in enforcing responsible hospitality practices across the country, respecting individual freedoms while also working collaboratively with civil society groups and law enforcement agencies in the regions it operates within.
The policy change at OYO Rooms has led some travelers to reconsider their choice of accommodation, as they seek places that uphold their right to privacy as unmarried couples. Due to this policy, the LGBT+ community in smaller cities like Meerut may face limited options for safe and private accommodations.
