Maharashtra bans play on Godse
Syed Firdaus Ashraf in Bombay
The Maharashtra government today banned
the play, Mi Nathuram Godse Boltoy (I am Nathuram Godse Speaking).
The decision was taken at an urgent cabinet meeting held by Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, following Union Home Minister L K Advani's advice to ban the play. Congress activists had, on Friday, prevented the staging of the play at Shivaji Mandir in Bombay .
Speaking to reporters soon after the meeting, Joshi said, "Keeping in mind the law
and order situation, the state government has decided not to allow the performance of the play."
Asked particularly whether the ban was imposed because of the objectionable contents of the drama against the Father of the Nation, Joshi avoided the question by
stating, "The decision has been taken as per the request of the central government."
He further commented that the "restriction" on Mi Nathuram Godse Boltoy was applicable to the Gujarati version of the drama as well.
Pointed out that the producer of
the play, Uday Dhurat, had requested the CM to view it before
imposing a ban, Joshi quipped, "I will be busy with the assembly session from Monday."
Joshi clarified that henceforth, the state scrutiny board will be cautious in approving such plays.
The chief minister also said he had no knowledge about any anticipatory court action which the producer had resorted to ensure the play's continuation.
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