It is 2AM in Kolkata and I am writing out of great concern about a phone that I just received from my partner. He is in Delhi and has been attending a gay party that was organised in a farmhouse by Aseem and Girish, just outside of the Badarpur Border in Delhi. There are atleast 200 people who are attending the party.
At the pool of this farmhouse, in front of scores of people my partner was approached by a young guy of about 22-23 who was wearing an orange T-shirt, who asked him he was the same person who was seen on TV after the High Court Judgement on 377. When my partner confirmed this, he proceeded to say that he was from some islamic group which opposes the judgement and thereafter slash my partner in the arm and leg with a piece of broken glass. My partner said he is bleeding profusely and that after slashing him the person and two other ran away in full sight of everyone... Even though he was bleeeding badly, my partner contated the organisers of the party immideately, whose main concern at that moment was apparentlly to hush things so that no alarm is raised. They did not do anything to either apprehend the offenders or to provide any kind of first aid even They just asked my partner to leave immideately and see a doctor. Right now, my BF is in a car with another friend being taken to the hospital. I am very worried. I asked him if he wanted to file a police complaint, but he is too scared to do so. The fact that I am not there at this moment and am in Kolkata is also making him more scared. I will update you as soon as I get news of what the doctor has said. I will try and convince him to file a police report soon.... But this raises two issue of concern. First the opposition is now infiltrating gay spaces and even these spaces are not safe. I fear that such attacks may recur, so everyone needs to be very careful. The second pertains to the social responsibility of organisers of such parties. They should not be so blinded by their economic and money making concerns that they give a total go by to all aspects of safety. This is exactly what they did by first not cheking the antecedents of those coming in (anyone who pays up is welcome), nor did they help by trying to keep things quiet and neither trying to catch the culprit nor help the injured. I urge all to be safe, especially in spaces where many gays come. I urge social responsibility be exhibited by the organisers beyond mere profit motives. I will keep you all updated. Right now I am worried sick... Best, Aditya Bondyopadhyay
