More than 100 LGBT community members, who were into the party mood at Oshiwara’s plush gay lounge, had to spend the night in a police station.
A man claimed to be an NCP leader and human rights activist spoiled a fund raising event organised by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community with the help of police on Friday. Later, it came to light that he was a fake.
More than 100 LGBT community members, who were into the party mood at Oshiwara’s plush gay lounge on Friday night, had to spend the night in a police station.
The LGBT groups were partying and raising the funds under the banner of Queer Azaadi Mumbai. Claiming to be a prominent NCP leader and president of International Human Right Organization, Ahmed Sahab Bawa (28) allegedly complained to the Oshiwara police that an illegal party was underway at the lounge. Bawa made Oshiwara police believe that he was indeed an NCP stalwart.
Humsafar Trust (an LGBT group) CEO Vivek Anand told DNA, “The party was organised to raise funds for our annual ‘Pride Walk’ scheduled for 21st to 28th Jan. At around 11:45pm two policemen in plain clothes came to the party along with a man who introduced himself as Ahmed Sahab Bawa, an NCP leader.”
Anand alleges, “On Bawa’s behest, the police started checking all the licences regarding liquor, music etc. We were asked to stop the party saying that we had not sought permission. We were the asked to come to the police station as Bawa has given a written complaint against us.”
Another gay activist Sriniwas, who was present in the party, alleged, “Bawa tried creating panic by shouting ‘media ko bulao’.
He shouted homosexuality is illegal and the party must be stopped immediately. He had earlier walked into the party as a regular guest and had taken pictures and videos of the people without their permission in the party and threatened that this will be shared to the media.”
According to eye witnesses, the police asked the crowd to move to Oshiwara police station where both the sides would be heard. Upon reaching, the party organisers were made to wait for an hour, while Ahmed was in the station giving his statement. He was later escorted by the police safely.
The police have another version. Senior police inspector Dilip Rupawate told DNA, “Ahmad (Bawa) had complained to us that he was not allowed to enter the party and that somepeople beat him.
We are bound to inquire into the case when someone complaints to us. That’s why we went to the party to verify if there is anything illegal. We found nothing against the rule and therefore the party was allowed to continue.”
He also said, “Ahmed could not recognise the person who beat him. Therefore, we told Ahmed that he should not have gone to the party to begin with.”
When DNA spoke to Ahmed, he said, “I am not an NCP leader. I am only a supporter. I am an advisor of Rashtriya Ulema Council. I am against gays. What does this community wants to tell society?”
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