Ban on theatre performances at Suchitra Academy flayed

Bengaluru: A police directive prohibiting all theatre performances at Suchitra Film and Cultural Academy in Banashankari until further orders has triggered controversy, with writers and social media users questioning the restriction on cultural activities.

The Banashankari police issued the order following a confrontation during the staging of ‘The Truth Behind Gandhi’s Assassination’, written by former Mysuru Rangayana director Addanda C Cariappa, at the academy on October 31. Complaints and counter-complaints were subsequently filed at Banashankari police station, and the matter is under investigation. According to the police directive, theatre performances at the academy must remain suspended until further orders in view of the ongoing investigation. It also warns that legal action will be initiated if any performance is held and results in a law-and-order problem.

The decision has drawn criticism from writers, who have questioned why an incident involving one production should lead to restrictions on all other theatrical performances at the venue. Writer Rohith Chakrathirtha compared the directive to restrictions imposed during the Emergency between 1975 and 1977. He alleged that the government was curbing creative expression by preventing theatre performances and questioned whether Karnataka was witnessing a return of Emergency-like restrictions.

Another writer, Beluru Sudarshan, criticised the government and demanded immediate withdrawal of the order. He questioned why other scheduled performances at the auditorium should be affected because of a dispute involving one play. He also described the police action as an attempt to intimidate the cultural institution.

The controversy stems from the October 31 incident, when protesters objected to certain dialogues in the play, alleging that they were objectionable towards Mahatma Gandhi. During the confrontation, black ink was allegedly smeared on Cariappa’s face, followed by a heated exchange and claims that he was manhandled.

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The Hans India