Goregaon outpost of popular bar chain Social in Oberoi Mall ruffles feathers of Mumbai-based Christian outfit over use of Catholic iconography and symbols. NGO writes to commissioner, CM, PM
Blasphemy? Mumbai pub's 'offensive' decor leaves Christian outfit enraged
Goregaon Social in Oberoi Mall
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Hipster bar Goregaon Social is in a soup over the use of Catholic iconography and symbols in its décor, raising hackles among the minority community. The offending images were taken down within hours of an FIR being registered against the pub in Oberoi Mall. However, activists from the NGO Watchdog Foundation insist that the bar be shut down altogether.
The Goregaon outpost of the popular bar chain has used Catholic iconography and sympols in its décor, insulting religious sentiments, say members of Watchdog Foundation
The complaint was filed by the NGO trustees and brothers Godfrey Pimenta and Nicholas Almeida, who pointed out that the pub had stained glass windows with “blasphemous” images of Jesus, Mother Mary, Moses and other Christian icons. Aside from that, the woodwork has some charred effects to allegedly make the place look like a burnt church, while the bar was stationed at the tabernacle – traditionally, this is where the Eucharist is kept for Communion.
The police arrive at the pub for the panchnama. The window panes had been replaced by then. Pic/Sameer Markande
“A friend told me about the place, so my brother and I went there on Tuesday night and saw the offensive décor for ourselves. Today, we proceeded to Dindoshi police station to lodge an FIR,” said Almeida, who dialled 100 to complain to the police the same night. By the next day, the stained glass had been replaced.
Pimenta added, “When we visited the pub, we saw stained glass paintings of saints with funny names scrawled beneath them. The bar is set against the backdrop of a tabernacle and the seating arrangement is similar to that of church pews. There were also messages from the Bible inscribed on the benches. This not just blasphemy but also an insult to religious sentiments. It was done with the intent to outrage the sentiments of the Christian community.”
On behalf of the Archdiocese of Bombay, Father Warner D’Souza also expressed objections to the décor. “He (the owner) needs to be arrested and jailed. The place needs to be shut down. It shocks me that this place has been open for two months and yet, nobody has reported it,” he told mid-day.
Distasteful depictions
>> Jesus holding a leather bag
>> Mother Mary with a chain in her hand (instead of the Rosary)
>> Moses with a tablet computer
>> St Anthony sporting glasses
>> The tabernacle (where the Eucharist is stored) with liquor bottles
‘Church of anti-consumerism’
The interiors were designed by Basrai brothers — Ayaz and Zameer — of The Busride Design Studio.According to the owner, Riyaaz Amlani, the décor was meant as a comment on consumerism and not religion. The pub’s Facebook page introduces the place as a ‘Church of anti-consumerism’.
Community voices
Alison Pinto (24), Public Relations executive
‘I love Social as a place to hang out but I have not been to Goregaon Social. It might upset my family but I’m not religious, so it doesn’t bother me much. However, I think its best to steer clear of religious things at bars and pubs’
Erica D’Souza (25), Media professional
‘Why take a jab at any religion? They shouldn’t have done that. Religion is such a sensitive topic in this country. I don’t have an issue with religious images in clubs or pubs as long as it’s not derogatory’
Malaika Fernandes (37), Entrepreneur
‘Personally, I am against this kind of liberty with religious symbolism. I would not be comfortable sitting in this space.’
As told to Suprita Mitter
'Don't make changes, just shut the place down'
Nicholas Almeida, trustee, Watchdog Foundation tells Gaurav Sarkar that the pub décor is deeply offensive to the community as it is cashing in on Catholic symbolism
Nicholas Almeida
Did you approach the owners before going to the media and police?
No such attempt was made at all.
What would you consider appropriate remedial action by the owners?
Earlier today, I got a call from the security officer in charge of Oberoi Mall, stating that the painted glass had been removed. But what about the pews and the tabernacle in the middle of the bar? These structures cannot be removed. We don’t want them to make changes — the place must be shut down, as it has deeply hurt my religious sentiments. If not, I will come daily with a placard and protest outside.
Father Warner D’Souza asked for the place to be shut down. Isn’t that extreme?
How can you say this is extreme? Do you know what would be the state of the bar if this was another community? We are soft-natured people, that is why we are easy targets in the city.
The interiors consultants say the décor is more a comment on consumerism than religion.
If my Jesus Christ is shown carrying a handbag, and Mother Mary, instead of holding a rosary is holding a chain, while Moses is holding a tablet in his hand — all this consumerism is what has hurt me. We are going to make the interior consultants a party to the case too. Let them try something similar with Islam and see the consequences.
How is this a “deliberate and malicious act to outrage the feelings of the Christian community” like you say?
What they are trying to show is the depiction of a burnt church. The owner wants to depict it only for consumerism. For me, the bar is a church now; how can you serve booze there? Tumne church ke naam se dukaan khola, abhi church ke naam se bandh karo.
It’s ironic that this issue has pitted members of the Catholic minority against a person from another minority – the owner, Riyaaz Amlani has a Parsi mother and Khoja Muslim father. Comment.
I don’t know the religion of the owner, but if he does belong to a minority and if it is Islam, then why is he involved in the liquor business in the first place? Isn’t it haraam for them? Also, if he wasn’t guilty then why did he remove the offensive objects in the middle of the night?
'Will do whatever it takes to make everyone happy'
Owner Riyaaz Amlani apologises unconditionally, says he is willing to change the pub decor
Riyaaz Amlani
What changes have been made to address the issues raised by the Christian community?
It was never our intent to be blasphemous. I have spoken to Father Warner D’Souza and apologised unconditionally. The images they found objectionable have been removed.
Are you willing to make structural changes to remove the pews and ‘burnt church’ decor?
For Goregaon Social, we were inspired by the neo-Gothic style of architecture that is used at Victoria Terminus and many old-style courthouses. We are committed to making amends in whichever regard they want.
What will become of the pub’s design theme?
We can always come up with new themes. We are more concerned about religious sentiments and we will do whatever it takes to make everyone happy.
Should art and religion have separate rules?
It’s more important to heal hurt sentiments and apologise to those who have been offended rather than a take stand at this point. I don’t believe in politicising religious issues.
You belong to a minority community as well, does this make you feel more vulnerable?
I have never felt like a minority in this country and this subject does not even arise in this issue.
As told to Krutika Behrawala
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