Police bend to moral brigade? Sunny Leone cancels New Year bash in Bengaluru following protests

Sunny Leone on Tuesday, December 19, said she will not go to Bengaluru after the police denied permission to a New Year bash in the city, citing law and order concerns after a local organisation raised objections to the event. 

"Since the police of Bengaluru have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine, and all who attend, safety for my New Years event, my team and I feel, safety of the people should always come first. Therefore, I cannot attend. God bless and I wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year," Sunny tweeted.

"To all those who protested and to all those who supported, always remember,never allow others to speak and choose for you. Have your own voice and make your own choices. You are the youth and you are the NEW INDIA! Stand Proud and Stand together. I love you all dearly," she added.

The decision against the 36-year-old actress came a day after the members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Yuva Sena took out a protest march on December 7 and December 15, claiming Sunny Leone's visit to Bengaluru would be an "assault" on the city's culture. They also threatened to
commit mass suicide if the organisers were given permission to host the event.

The city police chief T Suneel Kumar on Saturday, December 16, said it would not be possible to provide enough security at the venue as its entire force would be on duty across the city on the same night.

"In view of a directive from the Karnataka Higt Court on Friday to ensure peaceful New Year celebrations and prevent untoward incidents in the city, we will not be able to deploy enough force at one place at the risk of other areas," the police commissioner  had said.

City-based lawyer R Mohan had moved the High Court seeking ban on sale of alcohol across the state on December 31 to prevent drunken driving and nuisance by New Year revellers.

"As the Bollywood star is popular and has a huge following, as evident from a massive gathering at Kochi (in Kerala) on her recent visit (in August), we have decided not to permit her to perform in the city on the New Year eve," said Kumar.

"It's surprising how the event management is selling tickets online without applying for our permission to conduct the event with Leone," said Kumar.

(With IANS Inputs)