MODI GOVT BANS PLAY "LISTEN TO WHAT THE RIVER IS SAYING"
dealing with communal fascism and globalization
SAMVEDAN CULTURAL PROGRAMME in Ahmedabad is an effort by some organisations like DARSHAN, INSAF, BSC, SAMERTH, SXSSS and others to strive and build a youth cultural cadre and a cultural movement to resist cultural fascism. This programme is aimed at creating a theatre academy of young artists largely from the oppressed sections of the society with a long-term commitment and vision to address the issues afflicting society in the interests of peace and harmony. This is an effort to revive the theatre movement by creating a cadre of young conscious secular artists to analyse conflicts in our society and culturally respond to sensitise common people, strengthen secular efforts by civil society organizations, and provide a cultural meaning to anti-fascist struggles.
The police license to perform in a theatre for public viewing is cleared by the Censor Board in Gujarat and Maharashtra only. The script was submitted on Jan.3. As per their norms, they replied on Feb.3 asking for a revision of the script objecting to over 30% of the major dialogues dealing with riverfront project, globalisation, 'vibrant Gujarat, gender violence, communal riots, POTA. In a way, the play has been banned! The script cannot be revised as the desired changes in the script (constituting the core messages of the play) cannot be changed. And of what use is a play or culture if it does not voice the contemporary concerns of the poor and initiates a dialogue in society for social transformation?
We feel that in order to challenge the fascist atmosphere prevailing in Gujarat and the critical problems of the urban poor in the context of globalization, it is necessary to organize protest actions condemning the censorship as well as host the plays in different cities of India. We appeal to all secular democratic activists and organizations to organize solidarity actions and host shows of the play in different parts of India. The play will go on.