Pageant held, but without spectators

VADODARA, Oct 5: Last Monday, they were all ready for the plunge into the glamour-world. Then the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parish...

VADODARA, Oct 5: Last Monday, they were all ready for the plunge into the glamour-world. Then the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad struck, assaulting people and damaging property for the alleged destruction of the fabric of Hindu culture8217;. Contestants had to run for cover to escape the army of the moral police, while the regular police looked the other way.

A couple of days later, the contestants, encouraged by their equally young organisers, were still on the high, and determined to hold another show 8212; this time in an open place 8212; and invite the local BD chief as a judge.

But things did not happen the way they foresaw them. Exactly a week after the first show, they gathered at a peaceful bungalow to decide on the future course of action. The meeting was shrouded in secrecy lest the word spread and the saffron brigade run wild again. Suddenly, they decided that the time was ripe to hold the contest. Then and there.

The number of contestants was down from 16 to nine, but that did not deter the organisers. In fact, it made it easier for them to inform their 8220;closest friends8221; and the contestants8217; parents. The latter group had only one condition: no outsiders, not even the media.

The original judges, too, were replaced by people 8220;who were of some standing and who could assure secrecy8221;. But even they weren8217;t the picture of fortitude. One confessed to being 8220;scared to the bone8221;.

Instead of the decorated ramp, the contestants walked down a bare first-floor room, ignoring the peeling paint on the walls. They weren8217;t introduced by anchors who could give them a run for their money but by friends in 8220;gharke kapde8221;. Their own attire was hired.

There were no whistles and catcalls, but the comfortable and silent support of friends and relatives. But even that did not prevent one contestant from running to the balcony every now and then to assure herself that no one was on the prowl.

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Ironically, the safety of the place had been guaranteed by a BD worker residing in the same locality. 8220;Yeh gali mein kuch nahin hoga8221;, he said. They believed him, and it paid off.

Earlier, they had considered a couple of other venues, including a farm in the city8217;s outskirts. But then, a parent pointed out, 8220;It takes 40 minutes to reach the main road.8221; It never figured in the discussions again.

Seven of the nine contestants went on to win some prize or the other. But that probably mattered less to them than the safety of their skins. 8220;It was fun8221;, a winner said. 8220;I8217;m so relieved it8217;s over8221;, was all an organiser could manage. But the round had gone to the Bajrang Dal.