HOSTING the pageant will bring internationally organised gangs in the flesh trade, narcotics and underworld lords to India resulting in trafficking, sexual abuse and prostitution; international men and women of dubious character, many with AIDS, may cause havoc with the lives of Indians and cause grave health hazards; people will watch the pageant, absenting themselves from schools, colleges and offices causing considerable educational and economic losses to themselves and the nation."
Sounds ludicrous? But K.N. Shashikala is serious. The president of the two-year-old Mahila Jagaran, which claims to be "Karnataka's first veraciously vibrant and vigilant women's organisation", has earlier led crusades against display of obscenity in Indian films. Last week she filed a public interest petition in the Karnataka High Court, to give directions to cancel the Miss World 1996 pageant and deny visas to those planning to visit India for the event.
The court is yet to admit the petition. But if her appeal to the court and subsequently to the President fail, Shashikala threatens dire consequences. She along with 15 other women—12 students and three housewives—will immolate themselves to force the cancellation of the event. Says she: "Each day a member of the suicide squad will immolate herself. We'll go to venues outside Bangalore too."