MNS forces out fashion show from museum

MUMBAI: In a brazen display of moral policing, Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers on Sunday protested against a fashion show to be held at the heritage Bhau Daji Lad museum in Byculla on the same day, forcing the organisers to shift the venue at the last-minute fearing law and order problems.
The organisers of the Lakme fashion Week Summer/Resort 2015: Curtain Raiser, in which celebrities like actor Kareena Kapoor were to participate, were forced to move the venue to a hotel in Lower Parel.
A livid Tasneem Mehta, managing trustee and honorary director of the museum, told TOI: “They are trying to intimidate us and behave like the moral police. Fashion shows are held at museums all around the world. This was supposed to be a traditional fashion show, and not provocative.”
Mehta added that the organisers paid Rs 2 lakh for the show which would have gone towards museum’s upkeep.
“The money goes towards educational programmes, buying artefacts and keeping the museum functioning. This is an autonomous institution managed by the trust. I am fully authorised to hold such fund-raising activities.”
An event organiser said the goons claiming to be from the MNS, tore curtains and banners, shouting that the show was an insult and mockery of the museum. “People were terrified. On the spot, we decided not to hold the show here,” he said.
Musuem authorities informed the Byculla police, which is a stone’s throw away from the museum. “It took nearly 30 minutes for the police to arrive. By the time the accused had fled,” the organizer added.
Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjeee had opened the season with an offsite show at Richardson & Cruddas compound near Byculla last week, and Anamika Khanna was to present her Sculpt line at the grand finale show at the museum between 8 pm to 10 pm on Sunday. “Anamika was to show her collection in the backdrop of Indian craftsmanship and museum monuments. How does this disturb the moral or culture of public?” an event organizer said.
In the concluding grand final the programme was to be held inside the hall of the museum without any disturbance to anyone. “We had procured all the required permissions from the BMC, police, traffic police and PWD. Yet we had to shift the venue. It’s a shame,” said a member.
Senior inspector of Byculla police station Suresh Maghdum said, “We have provided police protection at the museum. And as far as disturbance is concern no one has come to us to lodge a complaint against the protestors.”