It’s official: Sunny Leone will not be performing in Bengaluru on New Year’s Eve. The actor made the announcement on Tuesday, after days of protests by pro-Kannada outfits, who demanded that the event where she was supposed to perform be cancelled as it was against Kannada culture. The Karave Yuva Sena had approached the Bengaluru Police Commissioner for the same.

Sunny tweeted her decision on Tuesday evening:

Since the police of Bangalore have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine & all who attend safety for my New Years event,my team & I feel,safety of the people should always come first therefore I cannot attend.God bless & I wish everyone a safe & happy New Year!

— Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) December 19, 2017

To all those who protested and to all those who supported, always remember,never allow others to speak and choose for you.Have your own voice and make your own choices. You are the youth and you are the NEW INDIA! Stand Proud and Stand together. I love you all dearly!

— Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) December 19, 2017

The Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Sunil Kumar had denied permission for the event to be held in a city hotel saying that the event will be a “security nightmare.”

The police’s decision came after the fringe pro-Kannada outfit protested against the event and burnt posters of the actor on Friday. The protesters claimed that Sunny's performance will be against Kannada culture.

The organiser of the event had approached the Karnataka High Court on Monday after the Home Minister refused to meet him. The case will be heard on Thursday.

Speaking to TNM, Harish, the organiser said, “I can understand the decision by Sunny Leone. But obviously it will be a huge loss for us.”

Harish said that he will think about their next course of action only on Wednesday.

Speaking in favour of the shelving the event,  Home Minister R Ramalinga Reddy had earlier said, “We have denied permission fearing law and order problems in the wake of protests by pro-Kannada outfits and also keeping in view the directions of the Karnataka High Court in a molestation case reported on MG Road last New Year's Eve.”

The HC was hearing a plea and directed the state government to prevent any untoward incidents around the time of New Year. The petitioner demanded a ban on liquor sales during New Year celebrations after last year’s chaos at Brigade Road, where there were  allegations of mass molestation on December 31.

The event, organised by an advertising agency, is set to be held in White Orchid Hotel, on Outer Ring Road, opposite Manyata Tech Park.

The announcement by the police that they cannot provide protection drew criticism for the city police and the ruling Congress government.

Popular comedian Kunal Kamra tagged the official Twitter handle of the Indian National Congress and said it should not criticise the law and order situation in UP.