Pune: Professor, 5 students nabbed over controversial 'Ramleela' play at city varsity

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A professor and five students from Pune University were arrested for allegedly offending religious sensitivities by producing a play based on 'Ramleela.' The dispute began when members of the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) clashed with students from Pune University's Lalit Kala Kendra over the play's themes.

The show, dubbed 'Ramleela,' featured backstage scenes with actors playing various roles in the Ramleela. According to ABVP's Shiva Barole, the play had improper rhetoric and actions, such as Sita smoking and using abusive language towards Laxman. The ABVP objected, halted the performance, and filed a police complaint, requesting that the case be registered.

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"We raised objections to such actions and halted the performance titled 'Ramleela.' It is offensive to Hindu sentiments. Subsequently, students from Lalit Kala Kendra attempted to confront us. We have filed a complaint with the police and requested the registration of a case," Barole stated.

An investigation was launched in response to a complaint filed by ABVP functionary Harshvardhan Harpude, which resulted in the arrest of Dr Pravin Bhole, the head of the Lalit Kala Kendra department, as well as students Bhavesh Patil, Jay Pednekar, Prathamesh Sawant, Rishikesh Dalvi, and Yash Chikhle. Section 295 (A) of the Indian Penal Code states that the allegations include a deliberate and intentional intent to offend religious feelings.

"We have got the information that there was a verbal spat between two groups at the university campus, we have called the related groups for the investigation, " Chaturshrangi Police informed.