Odisha government to ban obscene dance and vulgarity in jatra shows

Bhubaneswar, Dec 6: The Odisha government has announced a ban on obscene dances in jatras, the traditional Odia theater, as stated by Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj in the Assembly on Friday. The government is developing new guidelines aimed at eliminating vulgar performances in these cultural shows and plans to engage with jatra organizers to enforce this ban immediately.
This decision comes in response to concerns raised during the ongoing winter session of the Odisha Assembly regarding the indecency prevalent in jatra performances. BJP MLA Sanatan Bijuli has called for a dedicated law to protect the cultural integrity of Odisha against such vulgar displays.
Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh pointed to a recent incident in Ganjam district, where a jatra performance led to public outrage due to its inappropriate content, emphasizing the need for prior censorship of these shows.
Minister Suraj reiterated the government's commitment to promoting the values of Odia culture, highlighting an earlier ban on obscene dances in bars. The new guidelines for jatras are expected to be implemented soon, reinforcing the cultural standards of the state. Additionally, the Law Minister remarked that such inappropriate performances contradict Odia culture and urged jatra organizers to take preventive measures.