Odisha’s Law Minister responds to concerns over obscene dance in Jatra

Bhubaneswar, Nov 5: The Jatra Committee Mahasangh held a meeting today with Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, advocating for the establishment of specific regulations to prevent obscenity and vulgarity in Jatra performances. The committee presented a memorandum highlighting concerns about certain plays that contribute to societal issues through the use of indecent language and themes.

The association believes that government oversight of Jatra shows could significantly reduce inappropriate content. Minister Harichandan pledged to introduce guidelines aimed at safeguarding cultural integrity, noting that inappropriate dancing often leads to unrest among audiences.

“The culture department will take steps to tackle issues related to obscenity,” he stated. “I have urged the owners of opera companies to maintain the authenticity of Odisha’s culture.”

To combat these problems, the minister announced plans for legislation prohibiting indecent dancing in Jatra events. This initiative has been positively received by opera artists and the ‘Rajya Kalakar Maha Sangh.’

Umakant Mishra, secretary of the Jatra Committee Mahasangh, criticized opera party owners for initiating such performances for financial gain, urging a complete ban on indecent dance acts and emphasizing the need for special regulations. He mentioned that the minister has promised to arrange a meeting to further discuss the issue.