VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday refused to issue a stay on the ban imposed by the state government on Chintamani Natakam.
Narasapuram MP Raghurama Raju approached the court over the ban on Chintamani Natakam that is based on the 100-years-old Chintamani Padya Natakam. The Arya Vysya community sought the government ban on the stage play, saying it was degrading to their community.
Counsel for petitioner, Umesh, argued that banning the Chintamani Natakam was a violation of freedom of speech. Many had lost their livelihood due to the ban of the Natakam , he said, adding that though it spoke against the Devadasi system, there was no need to ban the play. He urged the high court to issue a stay on the decision of the AP government.
The high court rejected the request and did not agree to issue interim orders. It ordered submission of a translated version of the original book of the play. The case was adjourned to August 17.
ARSON IN KONASEEMA
In another case, AP high court dismissed a petition against arson in Konaseema district. The court got angry at the petitioner while holding a hearing with a sitting bench judge, on the arson.
The HC pointed out that the petitions were provocative in nature and that this was unacceptable. The petitioner apologized to the court after the court said it would impose a fine of Rs 50 lakh for filing such petitions.
