IPTA’s stand against surgical strike attracts right wing protest in Indore

INDORE: Members of right wing organisations on Tuesday barged into Indian People Theatre Association (IPTA) function in Indore alleging that the sessions held were anti-national.
The attackers allegedly beat up an IPTA member and pelted stones at the stage, accusing the organization of indulging in anti-national activities and making statements against the country.
Over 700 members of IPTA are participating in the series of sessions on theatre and social activism in Indore.Some of the speakers, including film director M S Sathyu, had spoken against war, including the India’s surgical strikes in Pakistan on terrorist launch pads.
“Around 15-20 activists disrupted our ongoing sessions and snatched the mike on the stage. They accused us of being anti-national,” IPTA Indore general secretary Ashok Dubey told TOI.
The attackers were pushed out of the Anand Mathur Sabhagrah, where the IPTA sessions were being held for the last two days.
One of the IPTA members, who was reaching the venue, was caught and beaten up by the attackers, Dubey said, claiming to have no information about the identity of the accused.
The attackers, who claimed to be members of Bharat Swabhiman Manch, also pelted stones at the auditorium.
Dubey claimed that IPTA was not in favour of war in any manner. “We have the right to freedom of expression. We don’t go and disrupt the functions of political outfits because of ideological differences. How are outfits -- which are responsible for curbing voices of truth…, causing death of people like Dabholkar, Rohit Vemula – allowed to operate in a sane society?” he asked.
The IPTA sessions had received criticism from different quarters in last two days. On Monday, Bajrang Dal activists had objected to the statements made by speakers at the session and submitted complaints with the local police and district authorities.
Bajrang Dal divisional convenor Sachin Baghel said the speakers at the IPTA sessions were making anti-national statements and talking ill about Indian Army. “Under the garb of freedom of expression, they (IPTA members) are staging plays that send anti-national messages. They are supporting Pakistan and provoking people to act against the interests of India,” he said adding “We will give thema reply in their own language.

Right wing youth entering into a scuffle with ITPA members during a function in Indore on Tuesday. (Photo: Pravin Barnale)
He said people should become aware of the intentions of IPTA members. This will generate spontaneous reaction against such anti-national entities.
On Monday, film director MS Sathyu, while delivering the inaugural speech, had questioned the India’s surgical strikes against terror outfits in Pakistan and claimed that he was ashamed of it as India was known for non-violence.
He had also targeted Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi claiming that his support to PM Narendra Modi on surgical strikes showed his ‘immaturity’.
The statements did not go down well with the right wing outfits who disrupted IPTA session. Following the drama at the auditorium, members of IPTA and the outfits gathered at Vijay Nagar police station lodging complaints and accusing each other of resorting to violence.