Catholic Groups

The space for new ideas and criticism, even those that sometimes question our religious faith and dogmas, is a crucial provision in any mature democracy. But in India, such nuance, it appears, is impossible. Anyone and everyone can get offended, if they believe their religion is being questioned. Recently, during the same week that a Muslim man was killed on the suspicion of having consumed beef on the outskirts of Delhi, in the much-vaunted cosmopolitan city of Mumbai, several Catholic groups were trying to get a play banned.

The play in question, Agnes of God, directed by theatre professional Kaizaad Kotwal, tells the story of a nun who gives birth to a child but claims to be a virgin. The play does not purport to be a comment on Catholic nuns, and it has apparently been previously staged in the city without any protest. But two groups, the Catholic Secular Forum and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, have claimed that their sentiments have been hurt and that Christianity was being depicted in poor light.

The government of Maharashtra has refused to ban the play, which was eventually staged to a full house. Kotwal, however, has been asked by the government to hand over a recording of the play to the CSF so that the group can decide if it wishes to pursue the complaint.

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