Nairang Gallery: Police raid condemned
two weeks ago police ‘invaded’ the gallery and misbehaved towards staff and guests
LAHORE:
Dozens of people protested against an incident at Nairang Art Gallery two weeks ago where the police ‘invaded’ the gallery and misbehaved towards staff and guests, said organisers. In a rally in front of the Lahore Press Club, the protestors were holding placards and chanting slogans condemning what they saw as an abuse of authority by the police. The protesters said that such actions undermined artistic freedom. They said that police’s job was to protect the citizens’ rights, not to curtail them. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ajaz Anwar said that people had stopped visiting the gallery following the police raid. He demanded action against the police officials responsible so that such actions do not take place in the future.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th, 2011.
Dozens of people protested against an incident at Nairang Art Gallery two weeks ago where the police ‘invaded’ the gallery and misbehaved towards staff and guests, said organisers. In a rally in front of the Lahore Press Club, the protestors were holding placards and chanting slogans condemning what they saw as an abuse of authority by the police. The protesters said that such actions undermined artistic freedom. They said that police’s job was to protect the citizens’ rights, not to curtail them. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ajaz Anwar said that people had stopped visiting the gallery following the police raid. He demanded action against the police officials responsible so that such actions do not take place in the future.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th, 2011.