Tale about ‘Mayagarh’ runs into model code

The play is set in a kingdom of Mayagarh some 500 years back. Its princess is Maya,whom sycophant ministers always try to please with expensive gifts. In preparaton for her birthday,the ministers buy a pair of expensive sandals,and deposited these where the state treasure was kept.

Verma said having read about the play,District Magistrate Anil Sagar called him. “When I briefed him about the play,he said the play should not be staged because the model code of conduct is in place,” he said.

Explaining his decision,Sagar said,“As per the model code of conduct,while there can be criticism of the government or the system,there should not be any comment on any individual political leader,directly or indirectly. It is evident that it is not proper to stage it while the model code of conduct is in place.”

However,the DM said the play had not been banned,but its staging only “postponed” till the model code of conduct is in place. Verma said the DM should have at least read the script. “I will change the names if that is a problem. But if the theme itself is a trouble then it is a different matter,” he said,”We will stage it after the elections.’’

Vinod Mishra,the secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Kalakar Association,found the restriction strange when “political leaders,in their speeches,criticise and blame their rivals regularly. A performance of a theatre group in a closed auditorium should not be stopped. But we do not want to make it an issue.”