"Other Voices": A Panel Discussion On Social And Political Censorship In India...
August 9, 2019 4:36:36 PM IST MTG editorial
In February this year, EIDGAH KE JINNAT, the Hindi translation of DJINNS OF EIDGAH, written and directed by Abhishek Majumdar, opened at the Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The play is about Kashmir seen through the lens of young stone pelters, CRPF soldiers and about mental health. It is about young people in Kashmir. The production by Bhasha Centre was in collaboration with the Jawahar Kala Kendra.
After its first show, a report appeared in the newspaper Dainik Bhaskar that said that the play had been insulting to the security forces of the country and that was unacceptable. The Jaipur police clamped down on the production team, invoked the Dramatic Performance Act and a report was almost filed against Abhishek Majumdar for sedition. A local right wing group accompanied by the police wandered the Jawahar Kala Kendra campus looking for those responsible for the play threatening physical violence. Fortunately, all those in danger, managed to escape. Soon after, several theatre artists across the country spoke up against the incident and organised readings, etc in solidarity.
What happened with EIDGAH KE JINNAT is in no way an isolated incident. This week at Prithvi theatre, shows of the play are being staged. A panel discussion has also been planned, which will address the issues surrounding censorship in India, which affect theatre artistes, among others. The panelists are Anand Patwardhan, Jawed Anand, Annie Zaidi, Shyam Sonar and Deepa Punjani.
Irawati Karnik will be moderating the discussion.
Date: 10th august 2019 Time: 3.30 pm. Venue: The Juhu Studio Terrace (Behind "Love And Cheesecake", next to Janki Kutir where Prithvi Theatre is).
*Mumbai Theatre Guide takes no responsibility for change in schedule.
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