Srinivas
Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:54:04 -0800
The Gossip fundraiser party for Queer Azaadi Mumbai 2012 held at Oshiwara was interrupted by local police despite valid party permissions today at 12.15 am. This was done by the local police post a complaint by a certain individual by the name of Haji Ahmed Sahab Bawa, who claims to be a member of the NCP. Bawa claimed that this was an illegal gay party without necessary permissions. About 270 people were present at the fundraiser party for the upcoming Queer Azaadi Mumbai March on 28th January 2012. The complainant walked in to the venue as a regular guest to the party and came back with uniformed policemen as well as one plain clothed cop. They began talking to the venue staff and sealed the exit saying that no guest will be allowed to leave premises. The venue manager produced the permissions and the lounge was inspected by the police for illegal activities. Haji Ahmed tried creating panic amongst the venue staff by talking on the phone saying “Media ko bulao”, constantly stating that homosexuality is illegal and the party must be stopped immediately. The cops maintained that though the permissions were in place, something must be done about the complaint. By then the organisers shut the music and made announced to the party guests about the disruption. The complainant Haji Ahmed Sahab Bawa threatened to file a case under section 377. He also claimed that the political party which he belongs to had acquired a stay order on Section 377 hearing. In the midst of this, he claimed to call media attention to the event. Both his claims were dismissed by the organisers. At this point he entered the party area and along with venue owners asked the guests to leave. Amongst the guests for the evening were Vivek Anand (CEO, the Humsafar Trust) & Pallav Patankar (Director, HIV Programs – The Humsafar Trust) who tried to have a word with Ahmed Bawa, but in vain. Bawa clearly had the intention of busting the event. He ignored all the attempts to clarify the correct legal stand on Section 377 and about permissions for the party. On being addressed about his intention/motive behind the police complaint about this party, he rushed to his car. Since he was seen escaping after creating a scene at a clearly legitimate gathering, a group of 40 guests who had stayed back refused to budge and let his car pass by. Police asked the crowd to move to Oshiwara Police station where both the sides would be heard. Upon reaching there after a delay and waiting period of 2 hours for no reason, Vivek, Pallav and the organisers were asked to come back the next day while Haji insisted his statement be recorded first and claimed he needs protection from the mob gathered outside. When the media arrived, all 40 guests were not allowed to speak to police, but a select few were explained that Police station has acted only to verify the matter and agreed that there was nothing wrong in the party, its permissions were in place and the police had no problems with the Queer community either. The Queer community is outraged at the fact that fundamentalists such as Haji Ahmed Sahab Bawa have such strong vendetta against it, in the midst of the Pride Month. Is Mumbai really queer-friendly? Aren’t gay people in India worthy of their constitutional rights as well?