 DRAFT APPEAL - TO STOP PLAY - AGNES OF GOD |
Dear Decision-maker,
Sub: Awaiting Action - Stop / Register FIR against Agnes of God - an anti-Catholic play being staged on 4 October 2015 in Mumbai. Venue Unknown.
Ref: No Action on The CSF complaint of 27th September'15 against Kaizaad Kotwal (American citizen?) and Ms. Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal, Poor Box Production - who are very influential & others
This is not about Christians, who are a micro-minority, but about rule of law, discrimination on the basis of religion and the kind of culture, Maharashtra is permitting under the guise of freedom of expression. A private / commercial company is being allowed to hurt religious sentiments with the police / authorities taking no action.
Thousands of minority Christians were rudely woken up to see a huge advertisement in Bombay Times - Times of India, with a picture of a Catholic nun (sister) with a big cross round her neck. The size of the advertisement itself was threatening and showed the monies and the influential forces involved. The words were even worse referring to the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ printed boldly - An Immaculate Conception? Or a bold-faced lie? You will be the judge & jury?
The name of the play, 'Agnes of God' itself is a mockery of the Latin phrase Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) and refers to nun giving birth to an illegitimate child. The publicity material of the Agnes of God states - " Agnes, a young nun, gives birth and insists that the child was the result of an immaculate conception. Dr. Martha Livingstone, a psychiatrist and Mother Superior clash during the resulting investigation. Based on a true story, watch reason and faith intertwine and battle it out. The play is directed by Kaizaad Kotwal and stars Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal as a nun ".
Serious Cognizable Criminal Issues, Conspiracy & Relations Involved - Why? Who?
1. Hurting religious sentiments.
The fact that the Catholic faith and nuns (sisters) sexual relationships are controversially portrayed to the public hurts religious sentiments - of a religion that all nations in the world admire.
2. India is religiously sensitive & Christians are persecuted.
A 2015 WIN/Gallup survey found that India has by far the highest population of intensely religious people on earth, with 80 percent of Indians – between 960 million and 1 billion people – describing religion as “very important” in daily life. Christians are persecuted and such a portrayal of nuns, the clergy or members will only be used ammunition against the community and make the situation worse.
3. Discrimination against the Christian minority, needing protection.
If a Muni / Sadhvi / Maulana or any other clergy or religion is involved, there would be violent reactions. Hence, the police / government stops such provocation, but discriminates when it comes to Christians, because though in the world, the community is very large, in India, its a micro-minority. Further, there is no fear by the criminals, as they can be sure of no retaliation. The police / authorities adopt double standards by allowing such plays / films against the Christian religion and peaceful community.
4. Other religions too have "True Stories" which should be allowed?
A few exceptions of religious god-men & women from other faith too exist. Will clergy / female religious of other religions too be allowed to be shown as such next? If all religions are equally respected, why is the government / authorities found lacking when it comes to Christianity but objective material against other religions or the sexcapades of other faiths are not allowed. The laws that exist must be applied and Christians treated as equal citizens.
5. Disturbing social harmony & pubic order in a communally volatile environment.
Pseudo rationalists, liberationists, agnostics, atheists must not be allowed to disturb the peace, which is much missing in Indian society. A few with business interests under the disguise of freedom of expression are ushering in a culture, which is not Indian but brought in from abroad and in the present case is USA, where the director of the play, Kaizaad Kotwal, we are given to understand lives.
6. Wrong portrayal of Catholic clergy and adverse impact on their image.
The nuns and priests are known for their remaining celibate, be sacrificing and serving humankind. Such a portrayal, even if one can find abroad a few exceptions and certainly not in India when highlighted through mass media will have a serious psychological affect on lakhs of nuns and priests. Even worse will the image that non-Christians will carry of the community's clergy, merely because a few wanted to make a fast buck.
7. Indian secularism & culture is different from that of ANZ, West or Americas.
Our idea of secularism in is different from theirs in that they have no reverence for any religion or no faith is sacred, while India respects all religions. Every country has its own set of morality, culture, decency, social norms. Foreign yardsticks do not apply here. The family, religion, sexuality, etc. in India has a different set of laws, which are different from the west, but need to be observed. Is Indian society ready to open a Pandora's box and open the floodgates of filth, with the play, Agnes of God being used to set a precedent?
8. No permissions unless religious consulted & publicity material need censorship.
Huge damage has been done by the quarter page Agnes of God advertisement in the Times of India (Bombay Times) which hurt religious sentiments. Many a time those from the government censoring a script in case of a play are not aware of the religious view points of various communities and hence, need for advisers, rather than giving permissions, without a care for consequences. There is no censoring authority for theater, television or advertisements / publicity material and before one knows it, damage is done.
9. A true story gives one no right to insult the faith or hurt religious sentiments.
Even if a true story, can such plays / films on exceptions be shown to negate what the religion actually is? Christians respect all religious beliefs and call upon the authorities / government to be sensitive and consider the impact of such ant-religious material on society. Is this the kind of culture we want to allow in India, which threatens the secular fabric, when there are more serious issues to be dealt with.
10. Christianity is in no danger. In fact, the number of Catholics worldwide is increasing.
This is not about Christianity or any other religion. Its about the kind of youth and future Indian society we are breeding by allowing such material. Its about the government / authorities turning a blind eye when it comes to the Christian micro-minority, whom it can brow-beat or ignore. Its about the truth - such portrayal is not representative of the lifestyle of our clergy.
What next? Will the Kamasutra, Ajanta & Elora be allowed to be enacted? Or plays on the clergy of other religions?
In view of the above, we urge you to act asap. Your office may get in touch with The CSF general secretary, Joseph Dias ( 9769555657 csfpost@gmail.com ) for more info.
Thanking you,
WE ARE
YOUR NAME & FAMILY