Hyderabad: It’s still uncertain whether the controversial play Agnes of God will be staged in Lamakaan in the city on October 9 and 10.
While vicar-general of Hyderabad archdiocese S. Bernard said that the state government had stalled staging of the play pending a review by a committee, the play’s director Vinay Varma said he had not received any information and would go ahead with it on Friday.
According to vicar-general Bernard, the government had informed the Archbishop that the staging of the play would be put on hold. The government would constitute a six-member committee to view the play and take a call.
The committee would include three government officials, two members from the Catholic community (mostly priests and nuns) and a theatre artiste. There would be no public staging of the play, he said.
Sources said that as per Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s directions, officials from the special branch of the Hyderabad police had met a few clergy at the Hyderabad bishop’s House on Wednesday to hear their objections.
Fr. Swarna Bernard, Vicar General of Hyderabad holds a poster of the play, Agnes of God.
When contacted, Vinay Varma said: “On Thursday we approached the Hyderabad police commissioner who contacted the Mumbai police where the play was not banned. There was no objection from the police. We have sought police protection on October 9 and 10.”
Earlier in the day, the director had secured the support of Father John Dayal, former national president of the All India Catholic Union, even though the union itself is opposing the play.
“The Christian faith has survived many schisms, it can't be shaken by a play. I think freedom of religion and freedom of expression are both fundamental human rights. A film or a play could be a criticism of an evil, weakness or aberration in society and the intent of the author or producer could be dissuading people from committing evil. Instead of demanding a ban on the play, the Church could have used the occasion to educate the people on the issue. In fact we Christians should oppose the culture of banning books, films and plays on flimsy grounds. Our faith is not so weak that a book or play can destroy it. In fact, such controversies can further strengthen the faith if the leaders are able to give proper guidance to the people," Mr Dayal stated in his letter to the director.
West Zone deputy commissioner of police A. Venkateshwar Rao, said the issue of staging of the play was still under discussion. No decision had been taken, he said.
At the time of going to press, Banjara Hills inspector P. Murali Krishna said his office had not received any orders.
