Right-wing groups objected to the name of the play and its plot

The performance of a play, titled ‘Shiva’, which was scheduled at Jagriti Theatre in Whitefield over the weekend, was cancelled after right-wing groups led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) took objection to the name of the play and its plot.

“The shows were cancelled after the police said they were unable to provide security at such short notice,” said Arundhati Raja, artistic director, Jagriti. “Three right-wing groups turned up at the theatre on Saturday morning and declared that they found the play offensive. When asked if any of them had watched the play, they said they hadn't, but that they found the name offensive. They threatened to create trouble if we went ahead with the shows as scheduled.”

The play, directed by Dayasindhu Sakrepatna, tackles the problem of discrimination of the LGBTQI community. It was produced with aid from India Foundation for the Arts, and opened a year ago. It has drawn wide acclaim so far.

According to Ms. Raja, the protesters walked into the theatre and demanded that the play be shut down. “Their body language was threatening,” she added.

Initially, the police, who were called in, ensured that the groups left the premises and agreed to post three personnel at the theatre to ensure that the shows could proceed without any hassle. However, as more protesters started gathering at the venue, the police expressed their inability to provide adequate security at such short notice, and hence shows were cancelled, said Ms. Raja.

The VHP later petitioned the Whitefield police against the play. The petition read: “The said event named after our god ‘SHIVA’, whom we worship as our Devata, and I am strongly from Hindu Religion background. However in the said event it is mentioned that 'Shiva' a performance on Sexuality & Gender objectifying to Sex & gender related activities (sic).”

‘Two issues at stake here’

Dayasindhu Sakrepatna, the director, told The Hindu that there were two issues: freedom of expression and resistance to queer identities. “It was so easy to suppress the voice of an artist. Some people took offence and the play did not happen. It should leave us worried,” he said.

He sees this resistance to discussion on queer sexuality as a struggle ahead for the community, which is transitioning into a social reality in mainstream society after the recent Supreme Court verdict. “I intended the play to be a bridge for people with a closed mindset on queer sexuality towards thinking about it humanely,” he said.

Arundhati Raja said Jagriti would hold the shows in the near future. “We request the chief minister and home minister of Karnataka to take note of this, and take a firm stand to ensure that freedom of expression of artists and artistic spaces are not held to ransom,” she appealed.

Police to review content of the play

Police Commissioner T. Suneel Kumar told The Hindu that they will have to review the content of the play ‘Shiva’ before giving security for its performance once the theatre Jagriti applies for it.

“A section of people have taken offence to the play saying that their religious sentiments were offended, which may lead to disturbance of peace. We will look into the content of the play to see if it really offends religious sentiments. If not, we will provide adequate security for the performance,” he said.

Sources claimed that police officials suggested changing the name of the play.