THEATRE OF THE ABSURD
THE WEEK|February 23, 2020
A school play in Karnataka invites charges of sedition against the headmistress and mother of a student who mouthed a “derogatory” dialogue. Amid the politics of polarisation and allegations of the police flouting norms, a hush falls over a temple of learning.
PRATHIMA NANDAKUMAR
THEATRE OF THE ABSURD

Two burqa-clad women walk the dimly lit corridors of the district jail in Bidar, Karnataka, where they have languished since January 30 on charges of ‘sedi-tion’—a word they say they have heard for the first time.

The ordeal started on January 21, after some students staged a play on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at Shaheen Urdu Primary School near Shahpur Gate. On January 26, the Bidar New Town police filed a first information report against the school head and management, and an individual Mohammad Yousuf Raheem (identified as a parent) under section 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), 505 (public mischief) and 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code. The FIR was based on a complaint by Neelesh Rakshyal, an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activist, who alleged that the school was “instilling hatred” about the country among its students by making the minors enact a play with “derogatory references” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The school was also “spreading lies” about the CAA, the National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register, he said, and creating unnecessary fear among Indian Muslims. Rakshyal had watched a video clip of the play that Raheem had posted on Facebook at 3pm on January 21.

What sparked the frenzy was a part in the play where a class six student, who played the role of an old woman, said that if someone asked her for the papers to prove her citizenship, she would “hit them with a chappal”.

This story is from the February 23, 2020 edition of THE WEEK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 23, 2020 edition of THE WEEK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE WEEKView All
WHAT IS YOUR SLEEP PATTERN?
THE WEEK India

WHAT IS YOUR SLEEP PATTERN?

YOUR SLEEP PATTERN may influence your risk of chronic diseases.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024
VISION PROBLEMS MAY BE AN EARLY SIGN OF ALZHEIMER'S
THE WEEK India

VISION PROBLEMS MAY BE AN EARLY SIGN OF ALZHEIMER'S

ACCORDING TO A US STUDY published in The Lancet Neurology, a rare eye condition known as posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) could be the first symptom of Alzheimer’s disease in 10 per cent of patients.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024
ANNUAL BREAST CANCER SCREENING BEGINNING AT 40 SAVES LIVES
THE WEEK India

ANNUAL BREAST CANCER SCREENING BEGINNING AT 40 SAVES LIVES

ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS to screen for breast cancer beginning at age 40 and continuing to at least 79 has the highest reduction in mortality with minimal risks, according to a US study published in the journal Radiology.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024
SWEETENED DRINKS MAY INCREASE RISK OF AFib
THE WEEK India

SWEETENED DRINKS MAY INCREASE RISK OF AFib

REGULARLY CONSUMING SUGARY or artificially sweetened beverages can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, the most common type of heart arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024
MOST EFFECTIVE EXERCISES TO TREAT DEPRESSION
THE WEEK India

MOST EFFECTIVE EXERCISES TO TREAT DEPRESSION

A STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE BMJ says walking, jogging, yoga, strength training and dancing are the most effective exercises to treat depression, especially when intense.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024
LYING TO YOUR KIDS MAY MAKE THEM LIARS
THE WEEK India

LYING TO YOUR KIDS MAY MAKE THEM LIARS

KIDS WHOSE PARENTS LIE to them are more likely to lie to their parents, even if parents tell only innocent white lies, according to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024
BAD AIR DAZE
THE WEEK India

BAD AIR DAZE

AIR POLLUTION'S EFFECTS GO BEYOND THE LUNGS, IMPACTING FERTILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH, BESIDES YOUR EYES AND SKIN

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 07, 2024
Women and the big C
THE WEEK India

Women and the big C

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in India. Here, we bust common myths, and outline diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies

time-read
10 mins  |
April 07, 2024
Make genome the norm
THE WEEK India

Make genome the norm

For India to meet its target of TB eradication by 2025, it will have to make rapid strides in using whole genome sequencing to its full potential

time-read
7 mins  |
April 07, 2024
ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD LINKED TO 32 MAJOR HEALTH ISSUES
THE WEEK India

ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD LINKED TO 32 MAJOR HEALTH ISSUES

Regular consumption of ultra-processed food is associated with an increased risk of 32 major health outcomes, including early death, cancer, mental health disorders, obesity, type 2 diabetes and respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024