Maharashtra Navnirman Sena protest against Kareena Kapoor's fashion show

In a brazen display of moral policing, activists of Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Sunday afternoon protested against a fashion show at the heritage Bhau Daji Lad museum in Byculla and forced the organisers to shift the venue. The fashion show, in which several personalities like actor Kareena Kapoor were to participate, was scheduled to be held at the museum on Sunday night.
Following the protest by about 40 activists and fearing a law and order problem, organisers of the Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2015: Curtain Raiser, were forced to move the venue to a hotel in Lower Parel.
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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. "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 that 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,'' he said.
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? '' said an event organiser.
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In the concluding grand finale, 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 on condition of anonymity.
Senior inspector of Byculla police station Suresh Maghdum said, "We have provided police protection at the museum. And as far as disturbance is concerned no one has come to us to lodge a complaint against the protestors.''
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