Indian prostitutes with their mouths covered by a black cloth take part in a silent protest march against hardline Hindu groups in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta February 19. More than 500 prostitutes tied a black cloth across their face and joined the protest against Hindu groups, who set fire to a movieset in the northern state of Varanasi saying the film denigrated Indian culture. Critics said they objected to the film, "Water", because it suggested that up until the thirties, several widows, mostly from eastern state of West Bengal, were often led into prostitution. The prostitutes said filming of the movie should be allowed.

JS

A prostitute with her mouth covered with a black cloth participates in a silent protest march against hardline Hindu groups in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta February 19. More than 500 prostitutes tied a black cloth across their face and joined the protest against Hindu groups, who set fire to a movieset in the northern state of Varanasi saying the film denigrated Indian culture. Critics said they objected to the film, "Water", because it suggested that up until the thirties, several widows, mostly from eastern state of West Bengal, were often led into prostitution. The prostitutes said shooting for the movie should be allowed.

JS/TAN