Can You Hold Hands in India?

While you may think nothing of holding your partner's hand in public, or even hugging or kissing them, it's not appropriate in India. Indian society is conservative, particularly the older generation. Such personal acts are associated with sex and can be considered obscene in public. "Moral policing" does occur.

Is holding hands in public illegal in India?

Indian Legal Provisions on public display of affection

The guilty is punished with an imprisonment of three months which may extend, or with fine or with both.

What does holding hands mean in India?

Holding hands in a way is maybe the simplest way to portray the highest form of non-sexual intimacy between two people. It is a display of platonic love if you will. The practice is more common in India than the West, as Dolman pointed out.