A performance-based protest will be held in front of the Karachi Press Club tomorrow (Saturday) from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm to condemn the recent incident of police brutality and violation of rights instigated by SHO Rana Zulfiqar, who manhandled and misbehaved with the female curator, staffers and customers at the Nairang Art Gallery in Lahore. Simultaneous protests will be held in Islamabad and Lahore on the same day, where artists, art critics and gallerists, and civil society members plan to show solidarity with the Nairang Gallery, Lahore, which was attacked on August 2 and register their protest against the reprehensible behaviour of the police. They will also demand a public apology from SHO Zulfiqar and his dismissal from service for beating up the curator and staff at the art gallery.
Renowned artist Feica will present a mural at the protest while other artists will create public art to share in the protest against the police’s unwarranted display of power over people and instilling fear within the general public on several occasions. The incident took place a few days before Ramazan, when the SHO entered the famous Nairang Art Gallery situated on the Jail Road in Lahore and started abusing customers, including females. He also physically tortured the female curator of the gallery allegedly for wearing a sleeveless shirt and interacting with men as an administrator of the place.
He not only physically abused the curator but also accused the gallery’s administration of spreading obscenity. He also abused the customers, including young females, for visiting the gallery to have meals or to watch artworks on display.
