Lord Of The Drinks, a bar located in Noida, recently found itself in legal trouble after a video showing a brief clip from the 1980s Ramayana being played on the big screen while clubgoers danced energetically went viral on social media.
The incident took place at Gardens Galleria Mall, and the police took suo motu cognizance, registering an FIR under IPC sections 153 A and 295 A, which deal with promoting enmity between different groups and deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, respectively. As a result, the owner, Manak Chaudhary, and the manager, Abhishek, were arrested, and the DJ who played the video is set to be apprehended soon.
At Lord of the drinks, Noida.
FIR registered. pic.twitter.com/lzVfoqtBQg
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) April 10, 2023
The incident sparked severe outrage on social media, with users accusing the bar of hurting religious sentiments. The official Twitter handle of the Police Commissionerate of Gautam Buddh Nagar also responded to the matter, stating that they have registered an FIR, and the DJ will be arrested soon. The police also revealed that the owner and manager knew about the DJ’s playlist but did not stop him.
In response, Priyank Sukhija, the CEO and MD of First Fiddle Restaurants, which owns Lord Of The Drinks, admitted that the video should not have been played and blamed the DJ for it. He also stated that they are cooperating with the UP police and that the Noida franchise operates independently.
गार्डन गैलेरिया मॉल के बार में धारावाहिक रामायण के संवाद को डब कर चलाने के प्रकरण में थाना सेक्टर-39 नोएडा पर सुसंगत धाराओं में FIR पंजीकृत की गई है तथा 01 अभियुक्त को गिरफ्तार किया गया है, अग्रिम आवश्यक कार्रवाई की जा रही है।
उक्त संबंध में @ADCPNoida द्वारा दी गई बाइट। pic.twitter.com/nO84Hpj4PH
— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE GAUTAM BUDDH NAGAR (@noidapolice) April 10, 2023
The incident highlights the increasing sensitivity around religious sentiments in India, with even bars falling under legal scrutiny for perceived offenses. Such incidents also raise questions about the role of bars and clubs in promoting cultural and religious sensitivity, particularly given their popularity among young people and their potential to shape attitudes and behaviors.
गार्डन गैलेरिया मॉल के बार में धारावाहिक रामायण के संवाद को डब कर चलाने के प्रकरण में थाना सेक्टर-39 नोएडा पर सुसंगत धाराओं में FIR पंजीकृत की गई है तथा 01 अभियुक्त को गिरफ्तार किया गया है, अग्रिम आवश्यक कार्रवाई की जा रही है।
उक्त संबंध में @ADCPNoida द्वारा दी गई बाइट। pic.twitter.com/nO84Hpj4PH
— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE GAUTAM BUDDH NAGAR (@noidapolice) April 10, 2023
Moreover, the incident also underscores the need for greater accountability and responsibility among businesses and individuals in upholding cultural and religious sensitivities. While freedom of expression and artistic creativity are essential values in a democratic society, they must also be balanced with respect for diversity and inclusivity. As such, it is essential for individuals and organizations to exercise restraint and sensitivity in their actions and ensure that they do not offend or hurt the religious sentiments of others.
At Lord of the drinks, Noida.
FIR registered. pic.twitter.com/lzVfoqtBQg
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) April 10, 2023
This is really wrong ! Not a placed to be played for sure ! Shame on them . Have Respect ✊ for any Religion Sentiments. And this is really very very wrong playing in a bar .
— IMRAN (@imranashraf999) April 10, 2023
Ridiculous pic.twitter.com/8VaGQEz8pf
— Dr Phani Vardhan ch (@DrPhaniVardhan) April 10, 2023
ppl can do any thing to be popular… its so distasteful act in the disco…
— Mukul Biswas (@mukulbiswas) April 10, 2023
Shame. This is a play on the actors of a TV show, not on a religion.
— Anshuman Pande (@pande_anshuman) April 11, 2023