Pub culture under attack

Karnataka CM said he won't allow pub culture in his state. We asked, what if Maharashtra follows suit? No one, not even the government can tell us what to do, say Mumbaikars

Pub culture under attack

Following the mob attack on women at a Mangalore pub, Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa said he won't allow pub culture in his state. Ditto, said Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot. No one, not even the government, can tell us what to do, young urban professionals told iTALK

If given a chance to rewind and erase, Aditi Seshadri wouldn't have it any other way, but that boyfriend Deepak Narayanan proposed to her at Toto's, the iconic Mumbai pub. "Although we worked for the same publication, it was a chance meeting at Toto's where we hit it off," says Aditi about husband Deepak. They lived alone, like the rest of Mumbai's single professionals, and that made Toto's an adda thanks to it's non-fuss environment and affordable prices. "The cast of FRIENDS had Central Perk at Central Park, we had Toto's. It was where all our friends would end up after a hard day's work. There were nights when we didn't even drink! Just talked."

Deepak was a familiar face, with Toto's staff, often dropping at his rented flat for a game of cards. So, when it came to proposing to Aditi, he didn't have to look further. "He had it all figured out. He took help from the staff and my friends to decorate the place with rose petals and candles. It was 6 in the evening, so, we had the place to ourself. His choice of venue was perfect since it was a place that was linked with a myriad memories and emotions," says Aditi.

"It's ridiculous to think that women who smoke and drink have a debauched existence, that they are sexually promiscuous. They lead normal lives like any other girl, get married, have babies. When guys smoke, drink and frequent pubs, they aren't blamed for corrupting Indian culture. Why?"

The incident that triggered it all

What happened in Mangalore on January 24?
Activists of Sri Ram Sena, a right-wing pro-Hindu apolitical organisation based in Hubli, entered Amnesia bar and restaurant in Mangalore on Saturday evening, and took objection to women sitting and drinking alcohol. They accused them of dressing indecently, behaving in an obscene manner and being friendly with people belonging to other faiths. They assaulted the women and men, dragged them outside the pub. Some women fell to the ground, and were injured. The police have arrested 13 men in connection with the incident.

How the netas reacted

Don't Talibanise India, said Renuka Chowdhury
Women and child development minister Renuka Chowdhury believes there is no space for conduct like this, since India is a democracy. She thinks BJP leaders must condemn the incident and asks Yeddyurappa to wake up and
take action.

The culprits are neither from the BJP nor the Sangh Parivar,said the BJP
Justice will be delivered, assured BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad, while BJP Prez Rajnath Singh condemned the incident as an act by hooligans.

Pub culture will not be allowed,said Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot
A day after Gehlot announced a ban on pub culture in Rajasthan, Karnataka CM said he will make sure pub culture doesn't grow. While Gehlot said his new rule had nothing to do with the Mangalore incident, Yeddyurappa wants to make sure such "unfortunate" episodes don't occur in his state again.

The music industry guys

Music industry's food chain will be disrupted

Dhruv Ghanekar, Musician and co-owner of Blue Frog Records
The argument here is based on morals and ethics, which is completely baseless. Why not assess the issue economically? The revenue a flourishing pub culture can bring is enormous; this is not the time to enforce archaic laws. The entire food chain of the music industry will get disrupted, starting from the consumer to the sale of food, alcohol. Everything. With laws like this, what those in power are encouraging is an underground culture. A developing country like India should, in fact, cash in on the burgeoning nightlife.

Musicians use pub audiences to test-drive new material

Niladri Kumar, sitar player
A ban like this will affect me because like any other pub-goer, I too want to unwind after a long day. But it would be a shame to take away someone's bread and butter. A lot of musicians use smaller clubs and pubs to test out new material, or a fresh song. If the response is good, they go ahead and work on bigger things. Our music industry is not structured, and doesn't allow artistes to co-exist. With the advent of the DJ, the live music culture has only diminished. This ban will make matters worse.

A lot of music is marketed after watching live pub performances

Amrish Kumar, Owner, Mummy Daddy Records
Due to restricted budgets, most often new acts gain momentum only via word of mouth, after music lovers have watched them at various night spots. Otherwise, people don't get access to the music that we put out there. This ban will hamper individuality, and will stop musicians from expressing and enjoying themselves. It will also cut down on places where we can congregate, interact and exchange views.

The DJs I'll earn halfu00a0 of what I do now

Ignatius Camilo aka Iggy the DJ
Professionally, it will hamper my work since India's global standing will be affected. I will not make as much money as I do now. Secondly, it will be a representation of 'this is what happens in India'. It's ridiculous. Everybody is focused on India; it's the new "it" country. Imagine how they will perceive us after this move. The government needs to put these hooligans (Ram Sena) behind bars.

The booze industry's voice

How will the Government survive without liquor companies' contribution to total revenue?

Jackie Matai, Co-promoter, Aspri Spirits Pvt Ltd (distributors of Peroni beer)
Business will be affected, of course. But more than that, the Government needs to ponder how it will survive without the revenue liquor companies provide? As a consumer and average Indian too, I'd be affected. I like going out to grab a drink after a tough work week. Where will we unwind? It amounts to an infringement on
our freedom.

The bartender

I will lose my financial security

Reagen Thomas, Bartender at a restobar
If the ban came through in Mumbai, I will have to look for a job at a 5-star, or move overseas. My livelihood will be affected; and it'll take away my financialu00a0 security.

Pub and lounge owner

Why should we suffer when we aren't breaking the law?
Ananth Narayan, Owner of the pub Nyks
Shibu Thomas Partner, F Bar & Kitchen

New talent will lose a platform to perform

Zarir Warden, vocalist for The Other People, a rock band
Pubs provide a venue for small bands like ours to perform and showcase our talent. The possible ban will be a huge blow to upcoming talent. We started our career in Mumbai by performing at Not Just Jazz by the Bay and Hard Rock Cafu00c3u0083u00c2u0083u00c3u0082u00c2u00a9. That's where we were first noticed.

Event Manager

Pub culture will have to be redefined

Vikram Mehta, Director, Red Om Entertainment
Most of our events are organised at pubs, so event managers would incur heavy losses. To survive, we'll have to diversify and redefine pub culture. Perhaps we will have to tie up with restaurants. It's a move that will eat into our profits since we'll have to spend more on production, procuring licenses and getting security and sound equipment in place.

Bangalore's pub hopping youth say

I will move out of the city

Raunaq Kinger, 21, Engineering student
On the one hand, our netas talk of making Bangalore like Singapore. Then they watch vandals attack pubs in the name of culture. If pubs are shut down forcibly, I will move out of
the city.

Rajesh Rajan, 32, MD, Cleanslate Communic-ations
Aren't we being forced into the dark ages? We visit pubs not just because we want to relax over a beer. This is also where we socialise, meet new people, and
exchange views.

Mumbaikars

Where the h*ll will we socialise?

Elisha Gada, 20, student
After a hard day at college, we like to party hard. A ban is not a solution to any problem.

Rhea Angom, 21, Student
These people need to mind their own business, and get a real job than indulge in pseudo policing the nation. Visiting a pub is refreshing after a day at work. Where will we socialise? A ban won't stop us from partying.

Delhiite

My social life will be ruined

Pooja Dey, 21, Media professional
Pubbing is not just about having a good time. It's an interesting place to connect, network and widen your social circle. After working hard for a whole week, I want to unwind
with friends.

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