[Reader-list] Pakistan: Stop right wing campaign to stifle Ajoka theatre

[Harsh Kapoor]

http://www.sacw.net/FreeExpAndFundos/Ajoka27042007.html
www.sacw.net > In Defence of Intellectual and Artistic Freedom in (or 
on) South Asia
April 27, 2007

Request for action against right wing campaign - State should not 
cave in to pressure from fundamentalists

PAKISTAN: CAMPAIGN TO TERRORIZE THEATRE GROUP

1. The pro-Taliban elements and their political patrons have made an 
issue of an Ajoka play "Burqavaganza', which was staged in Lahore in 
March 2007. Five MMA MNAs submitted an adjournment motion in the 
National Assembly, which was discussed on 26 April 2007. MMA members 
used extremely provocative language against the writer/director of 
the play and director of Ajoka, accused them of ridiculing Islamic 
injunctions and demanded action against them under blasphemy laws. 
Although several MNAs from Government and Opposition including women 
MNAs wanted to speak on the motion but the speaker did not allow 
them. The Minister for Culture Mr. G.G. Jamal announced that the 
Government had banned the play and further action will be taken after 
a report from the Punjab Government is received.

2. "Burqavaganza" is a satirical play, which uses Burqa as a metaphor 
for double standards and cover-ups in the society. The play shows all 
characters (men and women) wearing burqas, including politicians, 
terrorist leaders and policemen. Issues addressed include gender 
discrimination, religious extremism, terrorism, love marriage and 
media programmes promoting intolerance. It had been made very clear 
in the brochure of the play and before and after the play that the 
theme of the play was not critical of any one's religious beliefs or 
dress preference, but about the hypocrisy and double standards and 
the feudal mindset. The audience loved the play and it got very good 
press reviews. The play had been staged in collaboration with the 
Lahore Arts Council and the Executive director of the Council greeted 
the cast at the end of the play. On great public demand the play was 
again staged on 18 April at the Panjpani Indo-Pak Theatre Festival at 
Arts Council, Lahore.

3. The capitulationist stand taken by the Government in the face of 
MMA onslaught is very disappointing and disturbing. Instead of 
telling the fanatic MMA members not to intimidate theatre groups and 
the arts councils, he arbitrarily announced a ban on the play and 
promised further action. The speaker did not prevent the members from 
using defamatory language against two leading theatre practitioner 
Shahid Nadeem and Madeeha Gauhar. Reporting of the remarks can incite 
fanatics to further harass Ajoka, Arts Council and other artists in 
the country.
It is disturbing that the Government of President Musharraf is taking 
a weak-kneed and apologetic stand on the continuous challenge by the 
pro-Taliban elements. The Government inaction over Jamia Hafsa stand 
off, Islami Jamiat attacks in Punjab University and moral policing in 
the NWFP have not only damaged government's credibility and ability 
to establish its writ, it has also emboldened the fanatics to spread 
their tentacles. The Government has totally failed to punish those 
who are challenging its writ and intimidating students and artists. 
It has also miserably failed to protect those are being intimated and 
attacked by the pro-Taliban elements.

4. Ajoka is an independent and non-commercial theatre group committed 
to the cause of social change since 1984. It has addressed social 
issues boldly but artistically. It is determined to promote a culture 
of peace and enlightenment. As the Government of Pakistan has failed 
in its duty to protect the rights of freedom of expression and paid 
only lip service to the concept of "enlightened moderation' , we 
appeal to the democratic governments and international human rights 
and development organizations to support us and urge the Pakistan 
Government to fulfill its obligation to protect its citizens rights 
and take effective measures against the Talibanist who are 
terrorizing the people of Pakistan.

5. We will appreciate if you could contact the Pakistan Government 
expressing your concern at the harassment of Ajoka and urge the 
Government to ensure that Ajoka is able to carry out its work as a 
theatre group freely. Please address the letters to:

General Pervez Musharraf
President of Pakistan
President House
Constitution House
Islamabad, Pakistan

Please copy the letters to the following:
1. Mr Shaukat Aziz
Prime Minister of Pakistan
Prime Minister Secretariat
Constitution Avenue
Islamabad, Pakistan

2. Mr G.G. Jamal
Federal Minister for Culture
Ministry of Culture
Pakistan Secretariat
Constitution Avenue
Islamabad, Pakistan

3. Mr Pervez Elahi
Chief Minister Punjab
Chief Minister House
Lahore, Pakistan

4. Lt General Khalid Maqbool
Governor Punjab
Governor House
Lahore, Pakistan

5. Copy for information to;
Ajoka theatre
24-B Sarwar Road, Lahore Cantt Pakistan. Fax: 9242-666 5021
Thank you for your support,

Madeeha Gauhar       27 April 2007
Artistic Director
Ajoka Theatre


o o o

[ see also a news report on BBC ]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6598685.stm
BBC News
27 April 2007, 10:14 GMT 11:14 UK

Anger at Pakistan burka play ban
Women wearing burkas
The play is a satire on the wearing of burkas
The head of a Pakistani theatre company whose play about burkas was 
banned by the government has said that she is hurt and astonished by 
the decision.

The government banned the play because it said that it made 
"unacceptable fun" out of Pakistani culture.

Madeeha Gauhar, head of the Ajoka Theatre group, said that there was 
nothing offensive in the production against Islam or any other 
religion.

She said that she was being pulled up for "promoting moderation".

Parody

Complaints about the issue came to light after Islamist MPs raised 
the issue in parliament on Thursday. They complained that the play 
was against "Koranic injunctions on the veil".

"The veil has long been part of local culture and nobody is allowed 
to make fun of these values," Minister for Culture Ghazi Gulab Jamal 
said.


Madiha Gohar
We never expected this from President Musharraf's government
Ajoka head Madeeha Gauhar

The satirical play Burqavaganza was staged this month by Ajoka 
Theatre group in the eastern city of Lahore, known as the country's 
cultural capital.

The government announced an immediate ban, and stopped it from being 
staged in other cities following the end of its run in Lahore.

The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Karachi says that the play is a parody 
on the burka - the enclosing garment worn by conservative Muslim 
women.

Pakistan has stringent laws for blasphemy against Islam or the 
Prophet Mohammed with a maximum penalty of death.

"They have committed blasphemy against the Holy Prophet", Razia Aziz, 
a conservative female parliamentarian told the assembly.

But the Ajoka Theatre group has said that it has not received any 
official notification of the ban.

Censorship

"We have just heard the news from the press... the government has not 
contacted us so far," Ms Gauhar said.

She said told the BBC that while she was not surprised that hardline 
Islamists had raised the issue, she was "astonished at how the 
government has reacted".

Ms Gauhar said that the Ajoka theatre group was one of the oldest in 
the country, and had faced censorship before, particularly during the 
military government of General Zia ul-Haq.

"But we never expected this from President Musharraf's government", she said.

Members of the Ajoka Theatre group in a play about family planning
The Ajoka Theatre group tackles controversial social issues

"They have promoted arts and artistes so far, in line with a policy 
of enlightened moderation.

"The government now appears to be going back on its own policies.

"These are ominous signs for Pakistan.

"We are trying to end the evils from society, we are against forcing 
women to wear the burka. I condemn the ban," she said.

Correspondents say that the play reflects what many see as the 
aggressive behaviour of the burka-clad students attached to 
Islamabad's Red Mosque.

Baton-wielding students of two schools linked to the mosque have 
launched "morality patrols" targeting music and video shops and local 
brothels.