A day after politicians in maharashtra hit out at the Indian Premier League for having cheerleaders dance during matches, the state government has allowed the cheerleaders but with conditions. The government said "strict action" will be taken if the cheerleaders had violated the norms of decency during the match between Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers. The government said that the performance should not be vulgur or offend the dignity of women.

The cheerleaders can also forget about wearing those skimpy outfits as the the state government has also said that the clothing should not be revealing or vulgar. The government has also said that strict action will be taken if the rules are flouted.

"The girls are merely artistes who perform as per the instructions of organisers," Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Ramrao Wagh said, adding that a performance license has been granted to the organisers of the match between Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers to be held at Nerul's D Y Patil stadium.

In the event of the cheerleaders indulging in obscenity, Wagh said, the "license holders" (the organisers) will be prosecuted under various provisions of the Bombay Police Act for indecency in a public place and breach of license terms. Wagh, however said they had not received any directions from the state government on the issue yet.

Yesterday Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Siddharam Mehetre had described the cheerleaders and their dancing at the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches as "absolutely obscene" and said that the organisers may have invested crores of rupees for organising such matches." But this does not mean that they make semi-nude women dance in front of people.

He said, "When foreign dancers are allowed to perform in India, government gives them work permit and performance licence to the organisers with the condition that it should not be vulgar or obscene. If this condition is violated, then the government would take action", Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Siddharam Mehetre said.

Government plays down the row

Meanwhile, the centre has played down the controversy over cheerleaders. The Information and Broadcasting Minister -- PR Dasmunshi -- has reacted on the cheerleaders controversy and said:"The entire controversy is created by the media and it is not in the minds of people." He further added:"What constitutes culture in a democracy can't be defined."

Even the Maharashtra Chief Minister -- Vilas Rao Deshmukh -- has reacted on the entire row surrounding cheerleaders and said:"The entire controversy is blown out of propertion," further adding:"It's a sport and should be taken sportingly."

While Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister -- R R Patil -- has indicated that there will be no ban on cheerleaders in IPL T20 matches. There is ban on dance bars in Maharashtra, not on dance, said Patil. "If police officials present at IPL T20 match venues feel cheerleaders' performance is obscene, they can take necessary action," he added.