2 individuals who have been meticulously following the Silent Zone laws are Sumaira Badulali and BM.
OK BM is a student, elite from SOBO, but one who has his head firmly planted on his shoulders, till now at least. BM knows the law and has a good legal mind advising him. What i like to highlight & note is that BM has read, kept up with the law & unlike most citizens has the courage to follow the issue to the last bit.
NOw we all were kicked and supported Kala Ghoda Festival, alias KGF for years. In the interim period many orders & laws were passed by the Bombay high Court to ensure that somewhere the residents get their some rights. Like a safe & peaceful environment So we got Silence Zones. The notified areas have been stated by the HC in its 2005 order. Within certain radius of the court, educational institution, etc. So while the court is strict with Shivaji Park, Girgaum Chowpatty, all were caught napping as KGF organisers roped in children of IPS, IAS, Elite richie rich of SOBO. Quietly the children used the powers of their fathers, even if retired commissioners of police or BMC or whoever.
The sleathy methodology used took most unaware. However Sumaira was followinf the order & more one student who lives in the KG area. Now the KGF organisers till now have irganised those same stalls of handicrafts wc you see in any handicrafts exhibition, same wares sold for years on, once in a while thai massages, or some such modern relaxing techniques, while evenings are filled with numerous dance, music programmes. Look we are Indians & we are proud to be like this only.
So we surely want loud dhichak music. That rest of the things NEVER change, even the audience, general public NEVER brought it to the notice of the organisers. We are generally a culturally & socially a deprived lot, especially the SOBO crowd. So the KGF saga continued. Meanwhile BM a student of SOBO college began collecting his facts. He asked Colaba police station whether they had given any permission to hold KGF. They categorically said NO. However they are under compulsions from 'some senior officers.' "Humare naukri ka sawal hai." Said these policemen. Everytime the KGF organisers would send their letters the Colaba police would ask reg directions of the HC & norms of Silent Zone. They have been consulting Sumaira, who too has raised objections.
Finally BM lodged a complaint. I covered teh story & published in DNA. Both were happy that the issue was out in the open. Why do we have double stnadards for KGF? we were then told by cops of 'connected' people on the committee. My one time friend has formed a band & i featured him/his band. I had the courage to call & tell him look i'm doing this story & your venue may change. He was bound to be angry, but that he shld've been angry at me was most preprostrous and ridiculous. I at least had the courtesy to inform that the concerned individuals are taking the KGF organisers to court for Contempt. It is NOT a small crime.
Finally the KGF organisers called me apaologised asked me to relent to their demand for the last time..i had a story again, mind you. I also knew I was NOT the least interested in trying to convince a 'friend'instead i'd rather be accused of upholding the law. RTI application, letters & queries have revealed a lot. the whole nexus of officials, cops & their relatives on the committee. This time BM & sumaira have ensured the KGF will shift its venue.
Yes, it is a vitory of right, of the 2 citizens who have relentlessly pursued the matter. We have received immense flak. been accused of depriving citizens of good entertainment. Now wait, that is highly subjective. Because this so-called festival provides everything but 'entertainment.' It's also hilarious how people insinuate that these 2 aided by me have vested interests. Sure, what?? sumaira & I do NOT even live here. BM does atleast. Then a leading newspaper here, HT even went on to printing a full fledged articles mentioning their 2 names when the reporter hadn't even spoken to either. Well. phono journalism. i don't know...but this exprience has been quite a experience.
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