Student cultural activists of Patna Peace Mission staged the fourth round of street plays in three schools of Patna, to promote communal harmony. The plays, staged during May 10-11, highlighted the multi-religious heritage of India where world’s major religions have flourished over the centuries.
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) or Janwadi Sanskritik Morcha (People’s Cultural Front). It was staged by six 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 bhaav (Equal respect to all religions), the ideal given by Mahatma Gandhi, organizer of the program and coordinator of Patna Peace Mission, Jose Kalapura noted the increasing incidents of communal riots in the past three years. He urged the students to hold on to this ideal to maintain the unity and integrity of India.
The shows were put up in Patna’s Loyola High School, St. John’s Academy and St. Mary’s High School, for students of grades six to ten. Altogether some 3,000 students watched the plays in the two days. The Peace Mission has staged 35 shows in 25 schools in Bihar, covering some 30,000 students since early last year.