LAHORE, Jan 16: Local authorities have stopped the Pakistani theatre group Ajoka from performing in Jaipur because of “security reasons”.

Though the Indian government has cited security reasons to stop Ajoka’s performance, the apparent reason behind this move is the mounting tension between Pakistan and India along the Line of Control (LoC).

Shahid Nadeem from Ajoka Theatre told Dawn that Jaipur authorities’ decision just hours before the performance came as a shock for the theatre group, which had been performing in India for the last many years and had been a regular feature of the National School of Drama Festival. The group had left for India three days ago to participate in the festival.

The theatre group had to stage its play on Manto titled “Kaun Hai Ye Gustakh” in Jaipur on Jan 16 and perform in Delhi on Jan 19. The Ajoka team was sent back to Delhi from Jaipur. Nadeem said he was not sure if the group would be allowed to perform in Delhi in the present circumstances.

Nadeem said Ajoka had been participating in the National Drama Festival for the last 10 years and it was never stopped from performing there. He said he regretted Indian media’s response to the series of events.

He said Ajoka could return home without performing in India because it was continuously being asked to leave after beginning of tension along the LoC.