Moral police muffle the notes

By K.V.S. Madhav

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 25. Twenty days down the lane, what is touted to be the mother of all carnivals - the great Hyderabad shopping mall - unfolds on the banks of Hussainsagar with waterfront discos and beer bars scattered all over.

But, the Government bans an international concert, a rare happening here, succumbing to pressure from some fringe elements. That too in the 11th hour, when lakhs of rupees were spent and all arrangements put in place. The reason? `Nudity' and `Obscenity'!

While the Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, unfolds grandiose blueprints for making Hyderabad an international tourist destination, comes this ban. Couldn't be more ironical. It has been like this for sometime, one step forward and two steps back.

What makes the Hyderabadi so underprivileged when compared to his counterparts in Bangalore or Mumbai? Doesn't he earn well as they do? Don't they enjoy themselves? Why is it that they have to head for Bangalore or Mumbai every time to watch an international concert? And, why does the Government always give in to borderline moralistic spiel?

The answer is the same. The Government's fragile grip on its own plans. ``It is downright ridiculous and shocking that some elements are able to influence Government decisions to such an extent. Why should any credence be given to people who do not reflect the majority opinion? Are we any better off than the Taliban?'' asks the general manager of Quality Inn Residency, Mr. Vinodh N. Sharma.

``There is no logic at all. The decision is ad hoc and whimsical to say the least. In a ballet, dancers wear leotards and revealing dresses, but can you call it vulgar? Who is to decide what is good and what is bad for the people,'' he argues.

Mr. Shivaram Vishnubhotla of CNC, an event management group of the City who was associated with DNA Network, the country's leading event managers who brought the likes of Scorpions, Deep Purple and Bryan Adams to India, is even more forthright.

``Why this double talk? Tourism promotion on one hand and banning shows on the other. International exposure is a must for tourism promotion. It is very rare that Hyderabad gets a chance to host an international concert. If this is the approach, I doubt if any international group would ever think of coming here. Nor will event managers put the city on their list.''

``Bans like this are a big blow to the entertainment industry,'' he adds. ``We never expected this. International rock groups are evincing interest in India like never before. These bans will act as a deterrent,'' explains Mr. Venkat Vardhan of DNA Networks.

Rumours were also rife about rivalry between Treasure Island, where the show was scheduled, and other resorts, resulting in mounting of political pressure and eventually the ban.

``Music binds everyone, be it Western or Eastern. Vengaboys are one of the hottest bands on the circuit and they are here for their music. If the police had to impose a ban, they could have done when the permission was sought itself,'' points out Ms. Vaishnavi Reddy, another event manager.

``It's insulting to call them vulgar. The real nudism is the illiteracy and intellectual bankruptcy of the detractors that is showing up,'' charges Y. Kalyan, a media consultant. The contention of the police that the Vengaboys show would pose law and order problems comes for scathing criticism from all quarters.

It is the job of the police to protect the people. ``In any case, the law has enough teeth to take care of nudity and vulgarity,'' says Vinodh Sharma.

``Singer Bryan Adams himself had chosen Hyderabad from among other cities for his performance next month and I have already received frantic mails from his managers enquiring about the ban on Vengaboys show. I doubt if he would want to come now. It's a loss of face as well as money,'' sighs Mr. Venkat Vardhan. City of destination, eh?

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Three injured in stampede after 'Garuda Seva'
Next     : Vengaboys show today