Alankrita Shukla, Lawyer
Prostitution in India:
Prostitution in India is the oldest profession. It anciently started with the ‘Devadasi’ system. It took the route of devotion. Earlier it was a prevalent practice among Hindus to contribute their female child to the temples for the purpose of dancing and worshipping Gods.
With diminishing feudalism these so called Devadasi lost their protectors and were mishandled by the temple priests. This was the earliest form of prostitution in India. This practice further flourished in British era when these outsiders curbed the traditional textile industry, weaponry etc. and these communities had to turn to prostitution for livelihood.
What is Prostitution?:-
It is a general misconception that prostitution is illegal in India, rather prostitution is legal but the illicit practices related to it pimping, owning brothels and managing a brothel is illegal. Prostitution in itself is neither illegal nor punishable under the Act.
Acts that constitute prostitution:-
Prostitution denotes providing sex work in exchange of money. It not just indicates gratification of sex but also other accompanying acts such as solicitation of customers, management of brothels, pimping or dealing with prostitutes, sex traffics and other activities that facilitate prostitution. Thus, promoting the growth of sex industry.
