BAN THE BAN- NERS

the term Immaculate Conception being used in the adverts, since it should only be used with reference to Jesus Christ. While I disagree with that contention, let us assume that this has hurt sentiments.

However, the entire play proves exactly that; that there is only one Immaculate Conception and that is of Jesus Christ. So I am even further confused by the ban calls for both the Bombay and Hyderabad productions.

If anything, the play talks about the effects of abuse, molestation and faith in such a beautiful way, that it should be seen by more people rather than stopped. And yes, it centres around a young nun who got pregnant, but it is not like this situation has never happened. The play in no way paints nuns as those with loose morals. The fact that the protesters of the play cite that generalisation, says more about their mind space than the creators of the work.

Different Catholic representative bodies have come out against banning the play, but reserving their right to not agree with the subject matter, which is a far more mature attitude to the play.

I recently did a play around the turbulent times in El Salvador leading to the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero. In our research, we found such grace and bravery in what he was saying and doing in a country where free speech was completely curtailed. Eventually he was murdered, in a way startlingly similar to the killing of rationalists like M. M. Kalburgi, Narendra Dabholkar, and Govind Pansare. And just as Agnes of God has no Catholics in the cast, neither does my play. Does that mean I have no right to say good things about a great man?

At this point both productions of Agnes have been faced with venues cancelling their bookings. The play is not officially banned. But, because the threat of violence is more persuasive than standing up for an idea, the venues are running for shelter.

It would be nice if we lived in an India where the state actually stood up for the law, rather than aid the lawbreakers?