Animal rights activists, protesting the leather industry's cruelty to animals, here disrupted an annual international fashion show attended by celebrity models Katrina Kaif and Rahul Dev.
Activists carrying anti-leather placards and shouting slogans against the leather industry climbed the ramp at an event held in Chennai trade centre Tuesday evening. They were eventually ushered out of the hall.
This year the leather fashion show attracted models Katrina Kaif, Rahul Dev, Vidisha Pavate, Zulfi Sayed, Kelly Dorjee, Uppen Patel and Nethra Raghuraman, among others.
Supermodel Katrina was on the catwalk when three young girls climbed the ramp carrying a poster that said: "Don't kill animals".
Soon other activists in the hall began shouting protests against animal suffering. They were made to leave but continued their protests outside.
Activist Asmita Baneerjee from Mumbai posed for the camera with red paint spattered over her clothes to signify the slaughter of animals.
But an organiser dismissed the protests, saying they had occurred in previous years as well.
"They are here every year. They come from other cities and pose as animal rights crusaders. They are paid professionals and part of the fashion show," he joked.
Satish Jadav, the show's convener was critical of the activists. He said: "Do you know more than 2.5 million people make a living out of the leather industry?
{{/usCountry}}Satish Jadav, the show's convener was critical of the activists. He said: "Do you know more than 2.5 million people make a living out of the leather industry?
{{/usCountry}}"The leather sector is eighth in terms of India's foreign exchange income. These kids don't know what they are doing. Perhaps cheap publicity is what they are after."