Report No. 64

3.17. Prostitution a social problem.-

In our view, prostitution like many other evils, is a social problem, and the eradication of such evils cannot be achieved by legislation alone, as it requires the co-operation of every individual citizen as well. In the dialogue between King Ashwapati and the six Brahmins1 in one of the Upanishads, there occurs this passage:

"In my kingdom, there is no thief, no person indulging in dirty and bad actions, no drunkard, no Brahmin who does not keep and worship the Fire, no person who is not learned, no man of loose morals-from where will come any woman of loose morale?"

When the general moral level of the community rises to this exalted idealistic level, prostitution also can be brought down or more effectively reduced. But, as realists, we are not prepared to recommended such radical changes, because we fear that legislation based on such idealism may prove to be an exercise in futility. Besides this, it may go beyond the scope of the Act. The Act, as is shown by the title, is confined to "suppression" of immoral traffic, and a measure prohibiting prostitution would travel far beyond its present scope.

1. Chhadogyopanishad, 5th Chapter, 11th Part.