Patna: Oct 6, 2018: Student cultural activists of Patna Peace Mission staged the fifth round of street plays in four shows, Sept 24, at St. Karen’s School, Gola Road, Patna, to promote communal harmony. Some 3200 students participated in the show.
The plays highlighted the multi-religious heritage of India. India’s religious heritage is unique as four major religions in the world were founded or evolved in India and currently eight major religions of the world exist here.
Though respect for each others’ religions and traditions has been a characteristic of Indian society, violence in the name of religion has erupted more frequently in the last three years due to religious nationalism under some Hindu fundamentalist forces, said Hasan Imam, cultural activist and playwright.
The nukkad natak (street play), Ek saadhe, sab sadhe (If one is controlled, all can be controlled) was written and directed by Imam, director of Prerana (inspiration) Janwadi Sanskritik Morcha (People’s Cultural Front). It was staged by seven members of Prerana, all college students.
The play highlighted that the freedom of India was won with the united efforts of men and women who belonged to different religions, cultures and languages. Today that hard won freedom is being destroyed by some politicians and fundamentalists who polarize people based on their religious identity, to promote only the majority religion, said Imam.
Introducing the theme, sarva dharma sama bhav (Equal respect to all religions), the ideal given by Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of India, Jesuit Father Jose Kalapura, organizer of the program and coordinator of Patna Peace Mission, quoted media reports that 822 communal riots occurred in India in 2017, an increase from the earlier years. He urged the students to hold on to this ideal to maintain the unity and integrity of India.
The students took a pledge to uphold the religious diversity and harmony of India, to celebrate the festivals of different religions, to respect each other’s religion in order to build a strong India.
The audience
Ranjan Raj, a ninth grader of Karen’s School, appreciated the play saying, we learned how fundamentalists create communal riots among innocent children.
Mrs. Anjana Prakash, the Vice-Principal said the shows were eye-openers for our students as they now perceive how the poison of hatred is being spread by some anti-social elements among young minds.
Mr. Sebastian, the discipline-in-charge said our students belong to different religions and so we must foster respect for all religions and even celebrate each others’ festivals to achieve inter-religious harmony.
Mr. Jay Prakash, local coordinator at Karen’s appreciated the play and pledged to foster communal harmony, peace and brotherhood among students.
Mrs. Seema, the Principal was all happy to encourage such “positive activities” in her school.
The Patna Peace Mission, a forum for promoting communal harmony among students, is a project of the Jesuit Mission for Inter-religious Dialogue, said Father Kalapura.
Beginning from January 2017, I have coordinated 38 nukkad shows in 26 schools or colleges in Bihar, reaching to some 35000 students, he added.