Former Shimla Deputy Mayor Alleges Communal Portrayal in Republic Day Anti-Drug Play, Files Complaint with Governor
A street play aimed at raising awareness against the synthetic drug ‘chitta’ during the state-sponsored Republic Day ceremony at the Ridge Maidan here has sparked a major controversy, with accusations of it being “factually baseless and communal.”
Tikender Singh Panwar, former deputy mayor of the Shimla Municipal Corporation, has submitted a formal complaint to the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, alleging that the play, which was part of the official Republic Day festivities and broadcast live on several television channels, deliberately linked drug trafficking to a specific community.
In his detailed representation, Panwar expressed “deep anguish” over the incident, stating that the play shockingly portrayed the origins of ‘chitta’ as stemming from the “Kashmiri Muslim community.” He argued that this depiction violates the secular spirit of the Constitution, especially on a day meant to celebrate national unity.
Key Allegations in the Complaint:
Panwar’s letter outlines several serious charges:
· Communal Targeting: The play is accused of being “highly mischievous” and deliberately targeting one particular community through its dialogues and costumes, which were described as “absolutely derogatory and anti-secular.”
· Factually Incorrect: The complaint stresses that drug traffickers are “religion neutral” and that no official position of the central or state government has ever singled out a religious or regional community as responsible for the spread of ‘chitta’. It cites that major arrests in such cases often point to interstate or international networks, not the community identified in the play.
· Potential for Social Discord: Panwar warns that such portrayals “inject suspicions, deepen divides, and normalise prejudice under the garb of awareness.” He states it risks promoting enmity and could have led to a breach of peace.
· Legal Violations: The former deputy mayor contends that the content of the play invites action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for acts promoting enmity between communities and outraging religious feelings.
· Betrayal of Republic Day Spirit: The complaint strongly objects to using the high-profile Republic Day platform, a celebration of constitutional unity, to present a narrative that divides citizens.
Call for Action:
Panwar has urgently requested the Governor to:
- Order an immediate inquiry into how the script was approved and staged.
- Identify and take action against individuals responsible for scripting, clearing, and performing the content.
- Invoke relevant penal sections against those found responsible for spreading “communal misinformation.”
- Issue guidelines to prevent state-sponsored programs from deviating from secular and factual content.
Emphasizing Himachal Pradesh’s tradition of peace and harmony, Panwar concluded his appeal by urging the Governor to ensure such “divisive misrepresentations” do not pollute public institutions or national celebrations.
The Governor’s office is yet to issue an official response to the complaint. The controversy has raised questions about oversight mechanisms for content presented at official government events.
