Police have stopped the performance of the play ‘Ramayana’ on the occasion of the Ram Navami festival of the Sanatan Dharma followers in Barisal. On Tuesday, a program was organized at the Kaunia Shri Shri Manasa Temple in the city to mark the appearance day of Hindu Lord Shri Ram Chandra (April 06, 2025). The play was to be performed there. The organizers say that the police stopped their religious program citing threats of attack and security concerns. However, the police say that they were asked to stop the performance of the play because permission was not obtained.
Pritam Das, executive member of the Manasa Temple Puja Committee, said that the biggest event in Barisal division is held at this temple on the occasion of the appearance day of Lord Shri Ram Chandra. As per tradition, the event lasts for four days. On April 5, the idol (Murti) of Lord Ram Chandra was brought to the temple. The next day, worship, yagna, flower offerings, distribution of prasad and evening aarti were held. On Tuesday evening, there was lamp lighting and a play ‘Ramayana’ on the life story of Lord Shri Ram Chandra was staged. But police members created obstacles in the event from the morning. Today, on April 9, 2025 there is an evening aarti, city circumambulation and immersion ceremony.
Another member of the committee, Hridoy Das, said that despite many requests to the police, they said that there were threats, so the program could not be held. When contacted with senior officials of the Metropolitan Police, they only talked about the problem with the Ramayana play.
Tilak Basu Anim, director of Tilak’s Group and Theatre, which was given the responsibility of staging the play, said, “We have been preparing to stage the Ramayana play for two long months. On Tuesday afternoon, all the equipment including the sound system, decorators’ equipment was removed under pressure. We are shocked by this decision of the police.” Source-Samakal.com.
