Hindus attack Blagclub for displaying Hindu deities in club

London: At the beginning of October when, according to the management of Blagclub, some individuals threw bricks at the premises, and left a note warning them to remove the images of Hindu deities from their premises.

The incident was reminiscent of the vandalism at the M.F. Husain art exhibition in London earlier this year, which contained some images of Hindu deities in sexual poses.

Several Hindu groups and individuals had been complaining to Blagclub, a chain of three West London nightclubs, which extensively displays statues and pictures of Hindu deities in the clubs’ interior. According to the Hindu campaigners, the display of gods and goddesses in an establishment in which many people consume alcohol and has a very smokey atmosphere is unacceptable.

Over the period of several weeks, none of the groups involved in the campaign received any response or acknowledgement from the Blagclub management, who appeared quite dismissive of the matter. David Moran, owner of the nightclub chain commented: "We have had these icons in our clubs for six years now, so why the fuss? I find it sad."

According to Ranbir Sekhon, president of Hindu Human Rights, the only reason why for six years there hadn’t been any significant protests over the issue is because very few Hindus were aware of it, but now that it has become an issue, which many people know about, there are a lot of Hindus who are upset.

A survey carried out by Hindu Voice UK in september issue indicated that most Hindus do find the use of Hindu Gods in a nightclub as problematic. 76 percent of the survey’s participants chose "The presence of images of Hindu Gods and Goddesses in nightclubs should be stopped" as the option best reflecting their views.

After the attack, the club’s management has appeared to have a change of heart. Per Bertelson, co-owner of BlagClub, wrote to Hindu Human Rights on behalf of Blagclub, stating that although he is in disagreement with their stance against Blagclub, he has to think of the safety of his employees and therefore would like to meet and resolve the issue. In subsequent meetings, Mr Bertelson stated that he would be willing to remove the images of Hindu deities, after consultation with various Hindu bodies and individuals to ascertain their views.

While it is positive that there is now a dialogue that seeks to involve a broad section of the Hindu community, it is unfortunate that this was only brought about after an act of violence had took place. Before the incident, the representatives of Blagclub were scornful and not willing to respond.

Once again, we are left with the dangerous message that if you express yourself through mild and lawful means, a complaint is not going to be acknowledged or heard. You are not going to be seen as worth listening to.

http://www.hinduvoice.co.uk/Issues/10/Blag.htm