In another instance aimed at disparaging Sanatan Dharma and revered Hindu deities, the Department of Performing Arts at Pondicherry University presented a play during the annual cultural festival Ezhini 2K24 on Friday, March 29. Regrettably, the play included insults directed at Hindu deities such as Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman. Responding to this, the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) staged a protest at the university on March 30. Additionally, the student organization issued a statement regarding this matter on March 31.
In a post by ABVP Tamil Nadu, it was mentioned that the play depicted Sita offering beef to Ravana and distorted Hanumanji’s character. The portrayal included Sita not objecting to her abduction by Ravana, and then it showed her dancing with Ravana. Massive protests were held by the outfit in the university campus against this play.
ABVP posted, “ABVP PU Students protested against the recent incident held on 29th March 2024 at a fest organised by DPA, Pondicherry University Ezhini 2K24, where a play mockery of the Ramayana, including depicting Sita offering beef to Ravana and distorting Hanumanji’s character.”
In a statement, the ABVP said, “The ABVP Pondicherry University vehemently condemns the disgraceful incident that occurred during Ezhini 2K24, a department fest of the Department of Performing Arts, held on March 29, 2024. The event took a distressing turn when a play titled “SOMAYANAM” was staged, portraying a distorted and disrespectful depiction of characters from the revered epic, Ramayana.”
Video from Puducherry University’s cultural fest
In a play, Sita was depicted as dancing with Ravana, being offered beef, & telling him “we can still be friends..”
Some days back, Gayatri Mantra was used as background score for husband beating his wife in a play in GGSIPU pic.twitter.com/7nR29cSkdh
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) March 31, 2024
It added, “The drama depicted Sita’s character as “Geeta” dancing with “Ravana” portrayed as “Bhavana.” Shockingly, the portrayal included Sita offering beef to Ravana, and during the scene of Sita’s kidnapping, she was shown uttering, “I’m married, but we can be friends.” Such flagrant disregard for the sanctity of the Ramayana and its characters is deeply offensive and disrespectful to the beliefs of millions of people who hold this epic in the highest regard.”
ABVP further said in the statement, “This malicious act to present Ramayanam is a well-planned act by Communist and Left-led outfits on the Pondicherry University campus. Communist and Left-led outfits deliberately wanted to malign Lord Ram and question the sanctity of Maa Sita for which they had charted this play. Furthermore, in another disturbing scene, Hanumanji, portrayed as “Kanjaneya,” was subjected to mockery, with his tail depicted as an antenna used for communication with Lord Rama. These grievous acts not only ridicule the revered characters of Hindu Dharma but also incite communal disharmony by demeaning the beliefs and sentiments of the majority community.”
ABVP added, “ABVP firmly believes in the principle of freedom of expression but asserts that this freedom must be exercised responsibly, with due respect for religious beliefs and cultural sensitivities. While creative expression is encouraged, it should never be at the expense of hurting religious sentiments or fostering communal discord.”
ABVP further mentioned, “In light of this reprehensible incident, ABVP Pondicherry University demands swift and decisive action from the administration of Pondicherry University: 1. Immediate dismissal of the writer and director of the drama, Pushparaj (MPA 1st year), and the actors involved, namely Mithun Krishna, SreeParvathy, Adithya Baby and Vishakh Bhasi to serve as a deterrent against future instances of religious mockery and disrespect. 2. Stringent disciplinary action against Dr. Sharvanan Velu, Head of the Department of Performing Arts and other faculty (who else are involved), for overseeing and permitting the production of the offensive drama.”
Concluding its statement, the Hindu student organisation said, “ABVP stands unwaveringly in defence of the sanctity of beliefs and cultural heritage for all religions and thus demands the administration of Pondicherry University to take immediate against the Urban Naxals of Pondicherry University for fouling the greatest literature of Indian Culture Ramayanam to restore faith in the Pondicherry University’s commitment to tolerance, respect and diversity.”
Following the protest organised by students and members of ABVP, the university issued a notice regarding the matter. In the notice the the admin stated that a committee has been formed to investigate the matter.
Also, taking cognizance of the viral video of social media platform X, the Puducherry police initiated legal action. Quoting a viral post, the police wrote from their official handle, “Puducherry Police has taken cognisance of this and legal action has been initiated”
Puducherry Police has taken cognisance of this and legal action has been initiated.@MrSinha_ https://t.co/NcXRI3bqCH
— Puducherry Police (@PuducheryPolice) March 31, 2024
A similar incident was reported from Pune University’s Lalit Kala Kendra on February 2, this year, where a play was performed based on ‘Ramleela’, which allegedly contained objectionable dialogues and scenes. The play titled ‘Jab We Met’ was staged as a part of a competition at Lalit Kala Kendra.
In the outrageous video, the student playing Mata Sita was shown smoking a cigarette. The theme of the play is reported to be the rehearsal journey of actors involved in Ramlila.
सावित्रीबाई फुले पुणे विद्यापीठामधील ललित कला केंद्र या विभागाकडून सादर केलेल्या नाटकांमध्ये प्रभू श्रीराम व सीता माता यांची भूमिका विदूषक प्रमाणे दाखवण्यात आली. त्याच बरोबर प्रभू श्रीराम यांना राखी सावंत व देवी देवतांच्या पात्राच्या मुखातून शिव्या व आक्षेपार्ह भाषा वापरण्यात आली pic.twitter.com/gPxE7QdXN5
— ABVP Pune (@ABVPPune) February 2, 2024
The play, staged by Lalit Kala Kendra and titled ‘Ramleela’, depicted the backstage scenes of actors performing various roles in the Ramleela. According to Shiva Barole, the Pune University unit chief of the ABVP, the play showed Sita smoking and using abusive language towards Laxman, which led to objections from the ABVP.
