Bangalore sentenced to dry weekend

Hot spots and the party set express dismay at govt springing surprise on them by barring alcohol sales tomorrow and on Saturday

The Babri Masjid verdict that is expected tomorrow will put a major damper on the city's weekend plans with dry days being declared.

To keep law and order problems over the sensitive issue at bay, the government has also announced holidays for schools and colleges.

Sale of alcohol is prohibited from 6 am tomorrow to midnight of Saturday. Major weekend hangouts expressed dismay at the government move.



Aarti Rao, the owner of BFlat, said, "We have no choice but to stay closed, and this is basically a bandh.

We had booked a band from Paris and they were going to play three shows, but now we've had to cancel them. We'll be losing a lot of money this weekend; as a bar we rely on our Fridays."

A senior police official, who requested anonymity, said the move was a "routine" precautionary measure.
"During elections or even Ganeshotsav, for example, alcohol is prohibited in the state. It's routine.
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We're not expecting violence, not at all, but it's a precaution," he said. "We'll be keeping an eye on the law and order situation, which is why even schools and colleges will be closed."

Carlton Briganza, executive director of Opus, did not think it was necessary to declare a dry day as a precautionary measure.

"It's going to affect us big time. DJ Madison from Amsterdam was to be playing and we've had to cancel that. I think it's an unnecessary precaution from the government's side," said Briganza.

'Govt panicking'

Navneet Sinha, executive director of Kyra, said the government was panicking.

"We've already cancelled a band, and all because the government panicked. It's going to be a bad weekend for us financially. We're not sure what Saturday is going to look like, though," said Sinha.

Viren Khanna, an event manager in the city, said, "I've sent a lot of invites and now I'm calling everybody and telling them that our parties have been cancelled this Friday.

Pubs in Bangalore rely heavily on their weekends because they make most of their revenues on the weekend. A lot of work goes into planning a weekend and I wish the government had given us more warning."

James Ficcker, general manager of operations at the Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Limited, said, "Some districts have already announced a dry day starting at midnight tonight. Other districts will also do the same."

Karthik S (35), head of Digital Strategy at Edelman, said, "This particular Friday, my wife is being discharged from the hospital. And I'm worried about bringing our new baby and her from the hospital. I hope there is no violence."

Aneesh Somnath (28), a public relations officer, said, "All my weekend plans have now been put on hold because of this.

I won't even be able to go shopping at some major mall like I had planned to. I usually buy alcohol on the weekend but now I won't even be able to do that. It's a huge restriction on a weekend."

On guard

Psychologist and former Bangalore University vice-chancellor Professor Thimmappah said it is not the common man who indulges in violence but elements with vested interests try to take advantage of such situations.

"The Hindu and Muslim communities are not going to indulge in violence tomorrow.

It is the unscrupulous politician, anti-social elements and terrorist outfits that can take advantage of the situation to control the political climate in the state. It's a wretched thing," he said.
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"The city should be vigilant over the next few days."