By: Sohail Hashmi

Sohail Hashmi — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 11:39:49 +0000

Fortunately, Both Madeeha and Ajoka were eventually allowed to come, their being denied entry was explained away as a beaurecratic mistake. what has not however been reported as widely is that another play by a pakistani troupe led by Sheema kirmani, that had to perform at the Lucknow rang mahotsav was denied entry on the complaint of some hindutva out fit annd not more than a month ago an organisation claimimg to speak on behalf of the Muslims had ‘compelled’ the Lucknow administration
to withdraw the permission for holding the centenary celebration of the famous poet Seemab, because his poetry hurt muslim sentiments according to the protesting outfit

By: Nivedita Menon

Nivedita Menon — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:51:52 +0000

Meanwhile the courageous fight against thought and reflection continues. The National School of Drama has "received threats" (from whom?) against the scheduled performance of Pakistani theatre troupe Ajoka. Ironically (or not so ironically) Ajoka is to visit with a play on the damage wreaked by extremism in the Pakistani context. As always, such threats have been met by instant capitulation rather than defiance. The NSD (perhaps unhopeful of wholehearted police protection), has asked Ajoka not to come to Delhi. But Madeeha Gauhar the director, told The Hindu:“we receive many threats here in Pakistan too. We face them, and we are ready to face such threats in India. We cannot be deterred by them,”

Comments on: Fight Terror – Stop Thinking

By: Sohail Hashmi

By: Nivedita Menon