By A Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: After strongly protesting against a play titled ‘Agnes of God’, Catholic groups have agreed to the opening of play here after it received assurance from government that it will get the play reviewed, recorded and a certified copy will be given to Christian groups and protestors.
‘Agnes of God’ is an old play from 1950s which is the story of a nun who gives birth, kills the baby and insists that the child was the result of a virgin conception. It is considered a highly controversial anti-Catholic play.
The Mumbai-based community NGO, Catholic Secular Forum (CSF), that is spearheading the protest met with Minorities Minister, Eknath Khadse on Monday morning and presented their concern regarding the contents and advertisements of the play.
During the meeting Khadse requested CSF and protesters to view the play and then come back with specific objections, which would be attended to by the government.
Speaking with TwoCircles.net Joseph Dias, Catholic Secular Forum general secretary told, “The Minister said the CSF was free to petition the government in a couple of days and any objectionable references in the script or scenes would be deleted, if found hurting religious sentiments.”
He also said that the producers, who were present in a meeting too, agreed to remove from their advertisement the word, “Immaculate Conception” from the future advertisement material and co-operate in resolving the issues.
When asked why such a protest against an old play that is based on true-life story and a movie too was released worldwide with the same name adapting the play in 1985, he told, ”In western countries many things are tolerated that are not tolerated in India. Nudity and homosexuality is legal in western countries but we do not accept it here in India. India is a cultural country that protects all faiths and provide right to defend religious faith of every community and hence we are protesting against this play”.
Before today’s meet, Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos and President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India – the community’s highest religious body had requested the union home minister, Rajnath Singh to consider staying the play because it hurts their religious sentiments.
Meanwhile because of CSF protest the BM Birla Science Centre of Hyderabad cancelled the booking of the play at their Bhaskara Auditorium that was scheduled for October 10th.