Sunny Leone's New Year Performance in Mathura Cancelled Amid Protests

AGRA: A planned New Year event featuring actress Sunny Leone at a hotel in Mathura has been cancelled following significant opposition from local religious leaders. The decision was made in consideration of the cultural and religious sentiments of the Braj region, where Mathura is located.

The event was intended to celebrate the New Year on 1 January and had already undergone extensive preparations. However, as protests escalated, the organisers opted to call off the performance. Mitul Pathak, the owner of the hotel hosting the event, clarified that Sunny Leone was invited as a performer for a DJ set and not in any other capacity. He stated, "Despite following all administrative and legal protocols, we decided to cancel the programme in view of social and religious sentiments."

Initially, the DJ show was set to accommodate around 300 attendees, with various ticketing options, including hut, cabana, high terrace seating, and standing areas for couples. The performance was scheduled to take place from 8 pm to midnight.

Opposition to the event intensified after its details were made public, leading to heightened anger among local saints and religious figures. Various religious organisations submitted formal letters to the district magistrate, urging the cancellation of the event. They argued that such performances were unsuitable for a city like Mathura, which holds significant religious importance, and accused the organisers of promoting obscenity and disrespecting religious values.

In light of the sustained protests and the strong objections voiced by the saint community, the organisers made the decision to cancel the event, emphasising their commitment to honouring the cultural ethos of the Braj region. As of now, the district administration has not released any official statement regarding the incident.