‘Against Indian Values': Rajasthan Govt-Run Art Centre Cancels Queer-Themed Dance Show After RSS Objects

The Wire

28-04-2025

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Deep Mukherjee
4 hours ago
Sanskar Bharati, RSS's cultural wing, said in its letter that the event encouraged a rebellious attitude towards Indian traditional beliefs and societal systems.
A scene from Samaaj, the dance narrative that was cancelled from being performed at the Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur on April 26. Photo by arrangement.
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Jaipur: A government culture centre in BJP-ruled Rajasthan on April 26 cancelled the permission it had earlier granted to stage a dance performance about same-sex relationship. The permission was cancelled after objections were raised by Sanskar Bharati, the cultural wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The dance show, titled 'Samaaj', was supposed to be performed on the evening of April 26 at the Madhyavarti auditorium of Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK).
Designed by famous architect Charlea Correa, JKK is an international multi-art and culture centre which is run by the Rajasthan government's Art and Culture Department. The centre hosts numerous exhibitions, theatre performances and other cultural events, and has become a hub of artistic activities in the city ever since it was inaugurated in 1993.
'Production gives the message of indiscipline to the youth'
'The dance narrative is about the romantic relationship between two men, Sameer and Miraj. The name Samaaj is derived from the names of these two characters. It talks about the balance in relationships and we incorporate elements of storytelling such as theatre, music and poetry. We have already staged it in cities such Mumbai and Ahmedabad,' said Jainil Mehta, the director, producer and choreographer of the dance narrative.
Mehta added that on April 21, the JKK administration had confirmed his booking for the performance of Samaaj at the madhyavarti auditorium on April 26.
'But on April 24, the JKK administration told me that they have received objection letters from people who felt that the performance would not be in accordance with Indian values. I was also shown a letter from Sanskar Bharati wherein it was said that it is against Indian culture and societal values,' said Mehta.
The letter from Sanskar Bharati, dated April 24 and addressed to the additional director general of JKK, says that the performance is based on a story that encourages same-sex relationships and it doesn't match with the general sentiments of the public.
'A rebellious attitude is encouraged towards Indian traditional beliefs and societal systems. Excessive individualistic and unruly ideas are being promoted in the name of freedom. In the name of love, the entire production gives the message of indiscipline to the youth and to get alienated from societal values,' are some of the reasons that Sanskar Bharati lists in the letter written in Hindi to say that Samaaj should not be allowed to be staged.
Earlier this month, Sanskar Bharati was in news for issuing a communique titled, 'हास्य विधाओं में भारतीय मूल्य–बोध की पुनः स्थापना आवश्यक' – 'The Need to Re-establish Indian Value Consciousness in the Genre of Humour.'
A poster of the dance narrative was put up in JKK, and was later removed after the cancellation of the performance. Photo: By arrangement.
Mehta, 25, said that he put forth his side of the argument before a committee of the JKK on April 24 but was told that the dance narrative was against Indian culture.
'It is really surprising that this is happening even after the decriminalisation of homosexuality. I was told by the JKK administration that if I wanted to produce art, I should create art that furthered Indian culture. I had really hoped to perform at JKK, as it is the biggest culture centre in Jaipur. There should be some sort of support for artistes, which was missing in this case,' Mehta told The Wire.
Mehta says that posters and standees of the dance narrative put up at JKK were later removed after the cancellation of the performance.
'Shameful that the Rajasthan government has prevented a young artist from showcasing his talent'
The JKK issued a cancellation letter to Mehta on April 26, the day when the performance was supposed to take place.
The cancellation letter, signed by the additional director general of the culture centre, says that after the JKK received complaints by different organisations and individuals who objected to the performance, a committee made an assessment of the event.
'The content committee has found that your programme is not fit for being staged publicly in the compound of the centre,' says the cancellation letter of JKK written in Hindi.
The dance narrative was subsequently staged at another venue in Jaipur on April 26. The denial of space for the performance has resulted in sharp criticism.
'At a time when Section 377 has been read down, when multiple courts across the country have affirmed that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, it is shameful that the Rajasthan government has prevented a young artist from showcasing his talent,' Anish Gawande, co-founder Pink List India and national spokesperson, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) (NCP (SP)) told The Wire.
'India's creative economy is valued at more than 30 billion USD, employing 8% of the workforce. Suppressing creative expression due to shortsighted homophobia goes against the government's own mission of a $5 trillion economy,' added Gawande.
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