Rashtriya Warakari Parishad Warns to Stage Agitations if Shows of ‘Itthala’ Play Not Stopped

Memorandum submitted to the guardian minister of Ratnagiri against the play

Mumbai – Rashtriya Warakari Parishad (RWP)’s executive chairman, Ha. Bha. Pa. Bapu Raokar, submitted a memorandum to the State Industries Minister and Guardian Minister of Ratnagiri, Mr Uday Samat, against a play titled ‘Itthala’. The play denigrates Warakari Sect, ‘Sant Parampara’ and Shri Vitthal and also hurt religious sentiments of all devotees. This play will create an unrest in the whole State; therefore, shows of this play should be immediately stopped, is the demand made in the memorandum. It has also been warned to start agitations across the State if due note is not taken of the memorandum and action is not taken.

The show of the play ‘Itthala’ was staged during the 64th ‘Maharashtra Rajya Houshi Marathi Natya Spardha (State Amateur Marathi Theatre Competition)’ at Ratnagiri, against which Warakari Sect and devout Hindu organisations have registered their strong protest.

Denigration through the play

A devotee couple (Tuka and Janai) of Vitthal kill their own child out of their greed for money and gold. It is totally against the Warakari principles (non-violence and devotion). The characters have been named as Tukaram, Namdev and Janai who are the most revered Saints and thus, there is an attempt to malign their names. Though the play is based on a true incident that occurred 400 years ago, there is no proper proof or reference available anywhere.

Demands made in the memorandum

1. The selection of the play or the consolation prize given to the play should be cancelled and it should be taken out of the competition.

2. Under the clauses 295-A and 153-A of the Indian Penal Code (Bharatiya Danda Samhita), action should be taken against the concerned people for creating communal conflict.

3. The Government should announce a stringent code of conduct to prevent denigration of Hindu Dharma, Saints and great national heroes.

Editorial Perspectives

• Hindus are the real foes of Hindu Dharma ! Please note that followers of other religions never say anything against their objects of worship.
• Attempts to hurt religious sentiments of Hindus in the name of freedom of expression are infuriating.   
• When are the State and Central Governments going to pass a law to prevent denigration of Hindu Dharma, Deities, Saints and great national heroes ?