Attack on theatre and culture in the garb of “Hindu culture” deplored

New Delhi : Attack on theatre and culture in the garb of “Hindu culture”. Theatre activists demand restoration of the festival at Chhatarpur, dated 2nd march 2021. National committee of IPTA condemns undeclared ban on IPTA theatre festival at Chhatarpur (MP). General secretary of IPTA, Rakesh claimed that the festival which was to begin with the nationally acclaimed play “Jati Hi Puchho Sadhu Ki” written by eminent playwright Vijay Tendulkar, and auditorium booked with due notice to the district administration. It is learnt that “Vishv Hindu Parishad” and “Bajrang Dal” not only objected against the presentation of “Jati Hi Puchho Sadhu Ki” and “Asatymev Jayte” a play written by well-known Hindi satirist Prem Janmejay, saying that these plays were anti- Hindu and anti-culture. The outfits threatened to disrupt the show. IPTA approached district administration for proper security with no response instead the organizers were told to sort it out with the complainants. Apprehending physical threats to artists and the audience the IPTA Chhatarpur unit cancelled the festival in coercion. Eminent actress Shabana Azmi, MK Raina, Bhanu Bharti have termed the incident as an assault on theatre and culture. IPTA has demanded an intervention of the Chief Minister of MP to direct the district administration to create a conducive atmosphere for the theatre festival at Chhatarpur with adequate compensation to organizers and the artists.

“Vijay Tendulkar is one of the most renowned playwrights of the country and his play “Jati Hi Puchho Sadhu Ki” has been staged in almost every language of the country. Terming it anti-Hindu is height of ignorance and is shameful” said Shabana Azmi.

Terming “Jati Hi Puchho Sadhu Ki” and its writer as anti-Hindu and anti-culture is height of ignorance; theatre community stands in solidarity with IPTA”, said MK Raina.