While the issue surrounding the goddess ‘Kaali’ poster doesn’t seem to settle down very soon, another case in a supposedly ‘hurting of religious sentiments’ has cropped up in Assam.
An actor dressed as Lord Shiva and a fellow actress dressed as goddess Parvati staged a protest in Nagaon against the rapid price rise and other issues held by the police. The actor who played Lord Shiva was arrested for ‘hurting religious sentiments’ after receiving complaints from Hindu organisations.
After the matter quickly escalated, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stepped in and stated it was ‘not blasphemous’ to hold a nukad natak (street play) on current issues.
Taking to Twitter, CM Sarma stated, “I agree with you @NavroopSingh_ that Nukad Natak on current issues is not blasphemous. Dressing up is not a crime unless offensive material is said. Appropriate order has been issued to @nagaonpolice.”
The incident began around 8:30 a.m. on July 9 when ‘Lord Shiva’ and ‘Goddess Parvati’ appeared on the streets of Nagaon, Assam, on a Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle.
Everything seemed fine until the bike ran out of gas, and his partner, playing Parvati, ‘peeved at it.’ This turn of events resulted in an ‘argument’ between the pair, centering on price increases and common-person problems, primarily related to inflation. Hindu organisations reportedly threatened the pair against such a ‘bad’ depiction of the gods.
Meanwhile, Bora, who was later released from detention, stated that because people prayed to Shiva for their concerns and problems, the two believed that this enactment would draw attention to the ongoing problems of ordinary people, which they wanted to highlight.