Congress demands arrest of playwright over Mahatma Gandhi remarks in Bengaluru
Party workers protested at the City Police Commissioner’s office seeking action against Addanda C. Cariappa for alleged derogatory comments in his play.
Congress party workers staged a protest at the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner’s office on Monday, November 2, demanding the arrest of playwright and theatre director Addanda C. Cariappa. According to The Hindu, the protest concerns alleged derogatory remarks made about Mahatma Gandhi in a play.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson M. Lakshman and general secretary S. Manohar submitted a memorandum to the City Police Commissioner.
Mr. Lakshman alleged that the play included disrespectful references to Mahatma Gandhi and tried to depict Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Nathuram Godse as the figures who achieved India’s independence.
Mr. Lakshman stated that the Congress has requested the cancellation of the play and the arrest of Mr. Cariappa.
He also alleged that the production was being staged under police protection despite existing complaints. He remarked that party workers were questioning if the state was being governed by the Congress or the BJP.
The party intends to send representations to the Chief Minister and the Home Minister regarding the alleged spread of misinformation. Previously, a group of activists had filed a police complaint and smeared ink on the playwright's face over the same issue.
Two platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police and the Banashankari police have been deployed at the Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy for security. A case has been registered against the protesters.