gandhi fans upset over a newage mural in dubai pub
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Gandhi fans upset over a "new-age" mural in Dubai pub

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Gandhi fans upset over a "new-age" mural in Dubai pub

Indian residents alerted India about the mural.
Dubai - Arab Today

A 'new-age' mural that resembles Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi on a Dubai pub's wall has deeply upset the sentiments of some Indian expatriates in the city. Amid the outcry, the pub management maintains that the mural was not drawn with the intention to represent Gandhi, but is merely a form of graffiti art.

The Bar Baar resto-lounges' 'modern Bapu' is an image of what looks like Gandhi in bright pink and electric blue glasses and a rainbow-coloured shawl painted over a red brick wall. The resto-pub, located in the Al Mankhool area in Bur Dubai, opened in February this year in place of the iconic live music venue The Music Room.

After a picture of the mural was discovered on a social media re-post on the pub's Instagram page on Friday (September 28), a few Indian residents alerted officials at the Consulate General of India, which is planning to take up the matter with the higher authorities.

Consul General of India to Dubai Vipul told Khaleej Times: "Senior members of the Indian community are offended with the mural. We have got in touch with the pub management after weighing in the sentiments of the community members. We have requested them to take it off. We will be discussing this matter with the local authorities on Sunday."

In response to the outburst from the community members, Sadananda Poojari, general manager at Bar Baar resto-lounge, said, "Bar Baar is a gastronomical Indian cuisine restaurant which showcases many forms of graffiti art and creativity. We see nothing wrong in the mural as it is not a representation of Gandhi and see no reason to take it down as our customers appreciate it." Poojari added, "We do not in any way mean to hurt the sentiments associated with Indian culture, and will continue our efforts to embrace the best of Indian cuisine."

However, senior Indian community leaders contend that the mural is "a slap in the face any self-respecting Indian who loves his nation". "Given the excellent relations India and UAE share, the fact that UAE is celebrating Bapu's 150th birth anniversary, and also since UAE is opening a Gandhi-Zayed museum, why would anyone use his picture on a pub wall!" wondered Girish Pant, a volunteer member of the Indian Consulate's community welfare committee.

"Furthermore, Gandhi is from Gujarat - a state that to this date prohibits the exhibition and sale of alcohol," Pant added.

Anjana Bhatia, an advocate in Dubai, said, "I first saw the image on Instagram.

There were hashtags used on the post that said #modernbapu. Moreover, there were some pics uploaded by a blogger- where a woman was dancing in front of it.

It is very derogatory. We have an emotional attachment to Mahatma Gandhi. It is a clear insult. In India, it can be punishable by law."

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

gandhi fans upset over a newage mural in dubai pub gandhi fans upset over a newage mural in dubai pub

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

gandhi fans upset over a newage mural in dubai pub gandhi fans upset over a newage mural in dubai pub

 



GMT 12:11 2017 Thursday ,27 July

Tony Baroud to present new TV show

GMT 23:00 2017 Monday ,16 October

Egypt FM to head for Slovenia on Monday

GMT 20:06 2017 Friday ,20 January

Daesh in new demolitions at Syria’s Palmyra

GMT 21:06 2017 Friday ,24 November

Marriyum condemns Hayatabad terrorists attack

GMT 01:00 2017 Saturday ,25 November

Cabinet Affairs Minister Meets Indonesian Ambassador

GMT 02:34 2018 Thursday ,04 January

Merger creates state-owned gas giant

GMT 10:08 2017 Tuesday ,07 March

Geneva farce: The regime is the opposition

GMT 10:19 2017 Saturday ,18 November

AJK Prime Minister condemns across LoC shelling

GMT 11:34 2017 Wednesday ,22 March

33 Syrians killed in Air raid on Raqqa’s school

GMT 11:03 2017 Wednesday ,01 March

Asala declares her solidarity with George Wassouf

GMT 17:57 2017 Wednesday ,11 October

Mideast nations turn to private sector

GMT 14:11 2016 Wednesday ,30 November

Tunisia wins billion-dollar pledges to boost economy

GMT 23:41 2017 Tuesday ,26 September

Qatar laborer ‘sacked’ after speaking to UN team

GMT 04:28 2017 Tuesday ,21 March

Enrique Iglesias to headline Bahrain F1
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday