LAST week, Amir Mir — the Punjab caretaker information minister — announced a crackdown on ‘vulgarity’ and ‘obscenity’ in theatres in Punjab, relying on the Punjab Dramatic Performances Act, 1876 (Drama Act).
Following a raid on a theatre where allegedly a ‘dance performance’ was going on, the commissioner of police, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, stated 10 theatres in the Lahore Division have been sealed for an indefinite period, until there is an undertaking that theatres will promote Pakistani values, culture, and ethics. He said creativity is welcome, but vulgarity, obscenity, and dialogue or actions that are against our religion and culture that cannot be viewed with families will not be tolerated.
The caretaker information minister also stated preparations are underway to prohibit dance performances in theatres altogether through amendments in the Drama Act.
The fixation of the caretaker government on purifying theatrical performances in Punjab highlights one of the most sweeping censorship laws in the country — in terms of the grounds on which dramatic performances can be prohibited, as well as the powers given to authorities to ‘curb’ such undesirable public performances.
