After complaint by RSS-linked body, Jaipur cultural centre cancels play on same-sex relations

A Rajasthan government-run cultural centre in Jaipur has cancelled a dance performance about a same-sex relationship after objections were raised by Sanskar Bharati, the cultural wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, The Indian Express reported on Tuesday.

The performance, titled Samaaj, was set to be performed on April 26 at the Madhyavarti auditorium in Jawahar Kala Kendra, a culture centre run by the state government’s art and culture department.

“The dance narrative is about the romantic relationship between two men, Sameer and Miraj,” The Wire quoted Jainil Mehta, the director, producer and choreographer of the performance, as saying. “We have already staged it in cities such Mumbai and Ahmedabad.”

Mehta said that the administration at Jawahar Kala Kendra had on April 21 confirmed the booking for the performance on April 26.

“But on April 24, the JKK [Jawahar Kala Kendra] administration told me that they have received objection letters from people who felt that the performance would not be in accordance with Indian values,” he said, adding that he was also shown a letter from Sanskar Bharati.

In its letter on April 24 to the cultural centre, Sandeep Lele, part of Sanskar Bharti, claimed that the staging of the performance was a matter of concern because it went against “Indian culture and social values” and seemed to be...

Read more

News