Controversy erupts over Ramlila skit at AIIMS

The content of the skit had depicted a modern spin to the Ramayana. The skit of the mythical saga was chastised by social media users as they said that in its attempt to become humorous, the students have actually insulted the Hindu religion, reports UNI.

Multiple clips of the skit went viral on social media. In one of the viral clips, the Shurpanakha character is seen singing 'Tu cheez badi hai mast mast' to Lakshman. Also, she is seen responding to Lakshmana with 'Tu janta nahi mera bhai kaun hai (Do you know who my brother is?)" after Lakshmana cuts her nose, the agency added.

In protest, a group of people identifying themselves as 'Bajrang Dal' members trespassed the premises of AIIMS campus in Delhi and raised slogans for immediate action against the students who performed the Ramlila skit.

The AIIMS authorities immediately informed the police, who reached the spot and prevented the tresspassing group of people from going further.

A senior AIIMS official told the UNI, "Police reached the spot and escorted out the Bajrang Dal workers. However, volunteers said that they will return tomorrow with a memorandum and would present it to the AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria" .

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The said skit was sponsored by an online learning platform, and many social media users allegedly were 'hurt' by the 'mocking' of religious characters in the skit.

News Karnataka reports that the right wing members were seen demanding an immediate action against the people involved in the making of the play and were stopped by the police when they tried entering the hostel. A person of the 'Bajrang Dal' group said that no action has been taken from the police after 24 hours of registering the FIR. They asked that how long they should wait for the actions to be taken against the students. They also said that they would be meeting the AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria on Wednesday to submit a written memorandum and a written complaint against the students who made the play.

Subsequently, the AIIMS authority released an advisory dated 18th October, 2021 stating, "A number of complaints have been received regarding the performance and uploading on social media, of an offensive skit/play performed in the hostel premises of AIIMS Delhi. This has been viewed seriously."

Warning to take necessary disciplinary action in the future, the release added, "This advisory is issued to all unions/associations of students, staff, employees, etc of AIIMS New Delhi to desist from such acts and behavior and this should not be repeated in future, failing which necessary disciplinary action will be taken. The office bearers of all unions/associations may kindly bring this to the notice of their members and comply with this advisory fully."

The AIIMS Student Association had earlier issued an apology earlier on social media for the conduct of the skit, adding that they never meant to hurt anyone's sentiments. They also issued a statement assuring that no such activity would take place in the future.

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