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Behzti (Dishonour)
Gurpreet Kaur Bhattis play Behzti, triggered a number of demonstrations by some within Birminghams Sikh community. On 18th December 2004 demonstrators forced the closure of the play by storming the Birmingham Rep Theatre. Objections to the play were based around the incidents of murder and rape, depicted within a Gurdwara (Sikh temple). However it is clear that not all Sikh people objected to the play and wanted its closure.
The Behzti protests highlight issues in society that do not solely affect the Sikh community. It shows how much importance is given to religious leaders in both public life and policy spheres. Sunny Hundal (Asians in Media, 20th December 2004) asks, "Why do the religious leaders get quoted all over the press but no one is found to defend the play?" Another point raised is that playwrights, journalists, authors, producers and directors from Black Minority Ethnic backgrounds should not feel obligated to represent their community.
The Behzti controversy highlights the disproportionate importance placed on the role of faith in the public sphere. Faith is still seen by government as an expression of community identity and is starting to exert greater influence on the development of public policy. In the aftermath of September 11th 2001 we have witnessed the war on terror and heightened position of the Christian faith in US and UK politics. Religion seems to have left the private and entered the public realm.
b:RAP believes that the Behzti controversy should be prompting a complete reappraisal of the place faith holds in public life and policy. A new framework is needed where religion, its place in the public arena, the limits to its demands and individual rights and freedoms can be openly discussed.
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 Behzti - Faith 1.2.pdf (116.67 kB)
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