An acclaimed play has now run into trouble in the city with a Hindu outfit opposing its staging. Ali J , directed by Karthik Kumar , is to be staged at Ranga Shankara this weekend. But even before the show could start, a Hindu outfit has demanded its ban . The protesters also met Arundati Nag on Tuesday and said the play should not be staged since it was 'anti-national'.The news sent shock waves among the theatre community. It is said that two days ago, some of the outfit members had called up the ticket helpline and asked them to cancel the play.Speaking to Mirror, performer and director of the play Karthik Kumar said,“I didn't even know that the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has been distributing pamphlets in Bangalore saying my play Ali J is banned! I got to know when people started calling our office in Chennai, demanding a refund of the ticket money. How can they ban something they haven't seen? Did the organisation watch the play at the Edinburgh Festival?I want to say clearly that the message of the play is Gandhian.”Karthik went on to explain,“...I will stage the play and will request for police protection. I am not afraid for my safety.I am hoping that at least the socially conscious Bangaloreans will turn up as an act of solidarity. Even if someone wants to come and watch the play without buying a ticket, they are welcome….If they want a debate, then let them watch the play first. ”Hindu Janajagruti Samiti co-ordinator Chandra Mogera said, “We have been alerted by our members who had seen the play. I am told that the play features two characters: Ali, a reference to Mohammed Ali Jinnah , and Mohan, a reference to Gandhi. Ali falls in love with a girl Bharati, symbolic of India. I am also told there is glorification of the creation of Pakistan. We have not threatened them, but requested them not to host the show as it is anti-national.”Arundati Nag, the managing trustee of Ranga Shankara, said: “It's been staged all over the world. So why not here? Of course, it will be staged. What is beautiful has every right to be staged. If anyone wants to counter the play, let them do it with another play.”