Beef Vindaloo

The Maharashtra Koli Mahila Mandal has filed a lawsuit against MTV and Lycra after watching the broadcast of the MTV Lycra Style Awards 2006. Their claim is that the clothes that the people have worn during the broadcast as well as the ideals that have been praised and awarded are completely against the tenets of Indian culture. The lawsuit says that the two companies have defamed and insulted Indian traditions by declaring that the clothes worn in the show are “stylish” and therefore better than traditional Indian clothes.

Neha Sarpotkar, Chairperson of the Mahila Mandal and a Koli fisherwoman by profession goes on the record to say (approximate translation that leaves out expletives and colloquialisms), “How dare they declare to all Indian especially to those with young impressionable minds that the western trendy clothes are stylish and should be awarded. Not one woman on that stage was wearing a traditional nine-yard up-the-arse sari. What is this but a case of blatant disregard for the true nature of Indian traditions and Indian customs? Being stylish is not taught by anybody. This is a new concept of the foreign devil that is intent only to sell their products in India. Why was the show sponsored by a foreign brand? Why was Khadi Gram Udyog not approached for a sponsorship deal? Being Indian is not about being stylish but having nine-yards of khadi cloth wrapped around you and up the arse.”

MTV Head Alex Kuruvilla commented on this lawsuit by saying, “We are deeply saddened by this lawsuit because it was never the intent of either us or our sponsors Lycra to defame or criticise anything remotely cultural. While we agree that none of the women during the show wore a traditional Koli sari, but that in no way signifies us thinking any less of the outfit.” Kuruvilla said that MTV will issue a sincere apology to Sarpotkar for any inconvenience or grievance that the show might have caused. And while it is too early to comment on the way the lawsuit would go, he is hoping that it could be negotiated and settled out of court. “We are willing to broadcast a warning at the start of the repeat telecasts that say that the views and opinions expressed on this show are of the channel’s alone and do not conform to any national, political or social ideals. The actions performed and clothes worn on air are the work of trained professionals and performed under strict supervision. None of these actions and outfits should be imitated at home by anybody.”

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