Indian police censor gay photo exhibit by Canadian artist

BY ROB SALERNO – A photo exhibit by Indian-Canadian artist Sunil Gupta was censored by Indian police following an anonymous complaint that the pictures are obscene.

The exhibit, titled Sun City and Other Stories: Paris-San Francisco-Delhi, was on display in the New Delhi Alliance Française and opened to a positive response March 23, according to The Hindu. It consisted of 16 still colour photos taken in Paris, highlighting the city’s gay life.

Following a complaint, the Delhi police sent in an inspector to speak with the Alliance management. Apparently, the Alliance decided to close the exhibit following the inspector’s visit, although an official with the Alliance claims that the decision was made in consultation with Gupta.

Gupta claims he was told by a third party that the exhibition would be shut down.

One of the obscene photos from Sun City.

Xtra has previously reported about Gupta’s work in Canada and his recently published book, Queer.

India is the world’s largest democracy by population. Although unofficial discrimination is still common, gays recently won a court case decriminalizing gay sex, which has resulted in slowly changing attitudes on the subcontinent and has led India to emerge as a growing gay tourist destination.

Unfortunately, a challenge to the decriminalization case has been brought before India’s Supreme Court. The court recently decided to reserve its judgment in the case, meaning a decision will not be rendered for several months.

Rob Salerno is a playwright and journalist whose writing has appeared in such publications as Vice, Advocate, NOW and OutTraveler.

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