Pondicherry University has allayed its Head of the Department of Performing Arts from his duties because of the controversy by a play performed by students during the annual cultural festival, Ezhini 2k24, on 29th March.
The play, comprised of disrespectful portrayals of Hindu deities Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman, led to protests by ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) on 30th March.
The university has started an internal probe by making a committee to examine the matter. The HoD has been instructed to step aside from his role.
On Friday (29th March), the Department of Performing Arts of Pondicherry University staged this play in the annual cultural festival Ezhini 2K24 leading to protests by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) who complained against this play in university as well as a local police station.
The Kalapet police registered the case against the play’s Director and Script Writer on charges of hurting religious sentiments.
The student organisation also held protests on the university campus and issued a statement about this matter.
In response to the incident, the university formed a probe committee. According to the media reports, the University’s Assistant Registrar, D. Nandagopal, informed the student complainants that a high-level committee had been established to probe the issue and would deliver a report within three to four days.
In a written communication of date 1st April addressed to these students, he wrote, ‘Pending the Committee report, the Head of the Department has been asked to step down immediately. We have called for an explanation from all faculty members of the Department of Performing Arts.
He also added that the University promised to provide a peaceful and harmonious ambience on campus and would not tolerate any act hurting religious sentiments on its campus.
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