Pune University denies permission to stage ‘Shivaji Underground in Bhimnagar Mohalla’ on campus

While representatives of the university claimed the play was cancelled due to logistical and cost reasons, some students insist that the decision was taken under pressure from some external groups that did not agree with the content of the play.

The critically acclaimed play ‘Shivaji Underground in Bhimnagar Mohalla’ written by Rajkumar Tangade is a criticism of political parties using the name of Shivaji for their own political gains. It portrays Shivaji as a figure who was not bound to religious and caste affiliations but open to progressive ideas.

The Marathi play directed by Nandu Madhav has been performed over 900 times all over the country and has acquired a cult status since 2011 when it was first staged. The troupe had also performed it on the same occasion last year.

They were set to perform it again this year on April 12 at 8 pm on the university premises.

“This last minute cancellation has been a shock for us and also a considerable loss as the dates of all artistes were blocked and the tickets booked,” said Bhagwan Medankar, the producer of the play.

The decision to cancel the play was taken by an 18-member committee under the chairmanship of the vice chancellor and pro vice chancellor overseeing the event.

“We prepared the schedule for the event but the committee refused permission for the play citing opposition to its content from certain external groups. They said they do not want to disturb the volatile situation in the university,” said NSUI president Akshay Kamble, one of the student members of the committee.

“The decision was taken by a certain group of members. Adequate representation and weightage to opinions of all members was not given,” he added.

“We have already staged this play a few times and it was suggested that we have a different event this time, that is all,” said one of the committee members. An official of the university, also a member of the committee, said, “We were exceeding costs for this four day event by a substantial sum so we suggested that we keep this play for later. We have no problem with the content of the play as it is a Government of Maharashtra approved play and we can stage it at any later point.”

Kamble said, “In the meeting some of the student members insisted on a reason for the cancellation but we were not given any. When we persisted, we were told by a top university oficial that they had gotten a tip that there could be trouble from certain groups if the play was staged. Such coercion is what we are mainly against. If we do not protect freedom of expression across the spectrum, then how can a university stand up to its ideals.”

Theatre artiste Niranjan Pednekar said, “For me, this play says that the greatness of historical figures cannot be owned or dictated by limited sections of society for their own good. The context of the world around us matters a lot in the presentation of art. In the current volatile context of our society, art can be easily misinterpreted,” he added.