The controversial fashion show on night of Mumbai blasts

New Delhi: After MiD DAY broke the story of Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay attending a fashion show at The Grand, Vasant Kunj on July 13, while the entire country was reeling under the effects of yet another terror attack in Mumbai - a story that was picked up by the rest of the media - BJP leader and former minister Ashok Pradhan's daughter Sakshee, who was presenting her debut collection, says she was "not aware of the blasts." (Read: Wasn't at the fashion show after Mumbai blasts: Subodh Kant Sahay)

Caught unaware?

"If I would have been aware of the attack, I would have cancelled the show. Celebrations do not matter. I did cancel the post show party and dinner as soon as I came to know," said the young designer. "It takes months to put a show together," she added.

Sakshee says she came to know about the blasts after the show got over when she, along with her showstopper Anushka Sharma, was getting ready for the media interaction. "Anushka reached at 7pm and I was busy getting her ready. I learnt about it from her personal assistant. Even my dad was not aware of the blasts because he was engrossed with the show," she said.


And what does she have to say about the flak that has come Sahay's way for attending her show on a day Mumbai was attacked? "I don't know if he was aware of the blasts. If he had known about it and still stayed back then it is wrong. He could have left the show earlier," said Sakshee.

"I think he had gone for a personal reason so it is okay," said Delhi designer Leena Singh. However, socialite Charisma Aggarwal says it was not okay on the part of the minister to attend the show. "I cancelled attending an event. If I can do it as a Delhiite, why not a Union Minister?" she asked.

Different voices

However, Sakshee doesn't think that the controversy would give her publicity. "I am hurt that my invitees were pointed out and grilled but maybe it was their own doing," she said. "If the nation thinks they have not done their duty then they definitely shouldn't have (done it)," she added.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar says the media should not sensationalise the issue. "Why don't you instead focus on the fact that no arrests have been made yet," he said.