Where do you draw the line on affection in India?

Apparently Richard Gere is in trouble for kissing a woman’s cheek in public – in India.  The Indian courts cites public profanity for the act of affection.  But something’s not right here.  When I was in Gurgaon, a Delhi-suburb, to meet my team of analysts, I noticed that my Indian colleagues were quite affectionate with me and my NYC colleagues.  They all, including the boss, hugged us hello and goodbye. 

So what’s different with this Gere scandal?  Is it the lips involved?  Or the celebrity status?  Or is it a business vs. pleasure thing, like it’s okay to be affectionate as a courtesy to colleagues but not okay to be affectionate when horsing around? 

I need a native perspective to chime in here.  Read the details in India May Arrest Richard Gere Over Kiss and sort this out for me.