Sikh playwright speaks out, hopes Behzti will be staged

Writing in Thursday’s edition of The Guardian, Bhatti said it was not fear that had kept her silent since her play was cancelled, but ‘‘practical issues’’ about her own safety and that of those closest to her.

‘‘I have been deeply angered by the upset caused to my family (who have been harassed) and I ask people to see sense and leave them alone,’’ she said.

Bhatti wrote that she ‘‘wholeheartedly’’ stood by the play, adding that the threats of physical harm and hate mail, which forced her into hiding, have ‘‘stirred only tolerance and courage within me’’.

The play was cancelled for security reasons after some of the theatre’s windows were smashed and its doors stormed by Sikhs who said the play insulted their religion.

Bhatti denied a claim by one theatre boss that she blocked plans to stage her play after it was cancelled and denied changing any part of the play because of pressure.

She said she hoped to have the play performed again.‘‘I will, when the time is right, discuss the play’s future with relevant parties.’’ —PTI