Greek Crowned Miss World in India Amid Clashes of Protesters and Police

Clashes between rock-throwing protesters and police firing tear gas and rubber bullets failed to stop the Miss World pageant from going forward Saturday, when Irene Skliva of Greece won the crown.

Before the pageant finals began, about 1,000 demonstrators denouncing beauty contests as demeaning to women tried to block roads leading to the site of the pageant, a cricket stadium. Many chanted, “Go Home, Miss World.”

Police swung bamboo canes and fired rubber bullets and tear gas into the crowds, and at least 50 people were injured. Protesters later demanded a judicial investigation into police tactics.

Several police officers were hospitalized after protesters hurled fiery red chili powder at them and some of the powder got into their eyes, an officer at the police control room said.

Nearly 10,000 officers, many with rifles, batons and shields, were deployed to prevent violence, making the 1996 show, according to organizers, the most well-guarded Miss World pageant ever.

Hundreds of people with tickets were unable to get into the stadium even an hour after the nearly three-hour show began due to tight security. Large sections of the stadium were empty.

Police arrested 1,650 people.

Saturday’s effort to stop the pageant--held for the first time in India--followed weeks of protests, including the suicide of a student who set himself on fire. On Saturday, police were searching for female activists who had announced earlier in the week that they too would immolate themselves to protest the pageant.

The protesters say the pageant treats women as objects and benefits only plastic surgeons and cosmetics manufacturers; organizers say it will boost tourism and encourage foreign investment in India.