Chairs fly during jatra performance in Bhadrak over ‘controversial dialogue on Lord Jagannath’

The audience at a jatra performance protested an alleged controversial dialogue by hurling chairs on stage at Arnapal village in Bhadrak district on Tuesday.

The unsavoury incident occurred when artistes of the ‘Swarna Mahal’ jatra troupe allegedly delivered controversial dialogues disrespecting Lord Jagannath and a particular religion during the staging of the play ‘Swami Painee Pachhe Narka ku Jibi’.

Tension prevailed in the area following the incident. The organizers were forced to stop the play for some time due to the protest.

Subsequently, the situation was brought to normal following the intervention of the committee members. The artistes were allowed to continue with their performance after some controversial scenes were omitted from the play.

In response to the development, Swarna Mahal Jatra party owner Khirod Swain said, “It was purely a drama and Lord Jagannath has been given full respect in it. Lord Jagannath has been glorified in the drama. The audience expressed their dissatisfaction over a dialogue on religion. Some people became emotional over the scene and as a result, the unsavoury situation occurred.”

Read Also: Jatra artist Nisha Maharana attacked for performing ‘obscene’ dance in Odisha

However, eminent jatra artist Daitari Panda said that the controversial dialogues and scenes in the dramas should be changed considering the sentiments of the audience.

“Whenever the audience is protesting against any dialogue and scenes, those controversial things should be changed in the play and it should be prepared accordingly. The owners and the directors of jatra parties should have the onus to prepare plays in such a manner that it should not hurt the sentiments of the audience,” said Panda.