Catholic Groups

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.