After protests by Kannada groups, police say no to Sunny Leone event

BENGALURU: Bengaluru police have rejected permission for Bollywood actress Sunny Leone’s performance at a New Year event citing law-and-order issues.Leone was to perform at a private New Year’s eve event at White Orchid Hotel at Nagavara. However, protests by pro-Kannada groups were held against the actress’ presence at the event. The event was being organised by the advertising firm ‘The Time Creation.’

Commissioner T Suneel Kumar confirmed they have not given permission for the event. He said, “We have information that a set of people are likely to create trouble during the event. Since, entire force will be deployed across the city to ensure incident-free New Year’s celebration, we are not giving permission to that event where Sunny Leone is scheduled to perform.”

Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy told Express: “After the court gave directions to the City Police Commissioner to maintain law and order, I have left it to his (Police Commissioner’s) discretion to take a call on the event.” He also said a law-and-order issue had cropped up in Kerala earlier this year when Sunny visited the state for a promotional event.

Several activists from the group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Yuve Sena protested outside Manyata Tech Park on Friday. They took out rallies in at least 12 other districts of the state. They claimed Leone’s presence would be against Kannada culture. According to reports, some protesters also threatened to commit mass suicides if the event was not called off.

The organisation had been protesting against the actor’s presence at the event for about a week. R Harish, state president of the organisation, said, “We do not have any personal grudge against Sunny Leone, but we do not want such an event in which women’s bodies are displayed in the name of entertainment.”
He said such events would spur people who attend them to commit crimes against women, which is against Indian values. He also linked the event to the city being considered unsafe for women. Harish, owner of ‘The Time Creation,’ said on Thursday, DCP (North) Chetan Singh Rathore had denied them permission to hold the event. However, Harish said he would meet Ramalinga Reddy and city police Commissioner on Saturday and clear false perceptions which he felt had been formed about the event.
“A misconception has formed that the event will be a naked dance. It will not be anything like that. There will be a DJ and Leone will dance to Kannada numbers. I too am a Kannadiga and the event is not against Kannada culture,” he said.