Muzaffar Ali Ad embarrasses Uttar Pradesh government

Lucknow: An advertisement sponsored by the Uttar Pradesh tourism department has raised the hackles of Hindus for carrying a bare breasted photograph of Lord Krishna’s consort Radha.

The ad for a play ‘Radha Kanhaiyaa Ka Qissa’ appeared in local newspapers on Saturday. The play directed by Muzaffar Ali of Umarao Jan fame was written by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Oudh. It is to be staged on the occasion of UP Tourism Day on February 14.

Not only newspaper ads but also the hoardings put up by the tourism department show a bare breasted Radha leaning on Lord Krishna’s shoulder.

The state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak termed the advertisement objectionable. “As the tourism department is a partner in the event, the government should avoid showing pictures that hurt the sentiments of the people.”

Muzaffar Ali:

"The advertisement is based on a very old painting. Let me see if sentiments are hurt," said Ali.

Principal Secretary Tourism:

Principal secretary tourism Navneet Sehgal said that some programme have been given to private organizations and this play is being directed by famous film director Muzaffar Ali.We will talk to the organizers for rectifying the hoardings, said Sehgal.

When Goddess Laxmi was imprinted on bikini:

Famous fashion designer Lisa Burke, who in her fashion line released in 2011 imprinted Hindu Goddess Laxmi on bikini. A Public Interest Litigation(PIL) was filed in Allahabad High Court on this issue. The court ordered to Press Council of India to tell the guidelines on such cases and even ordered the Ministry of External Affairs to issue a notice to the designer.