New Delhi: After a Muslim-born Bharatanatyam dance, Mansiya VP, who was denied permission to perform in a 10-day cultural festival in a temple premises in Thrissur, she has got support from several quarters.
Former Health Minister KK Shailaja on Monday said that not being allowed to perform on a temple premises on religious basis is a matter of concern. On Tuesday, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor expressed that he was shocked to know that the Bharatanatyam dancer was denied to perform.
"I understand some restrictions in some temples about access to sanctum santorum.But this is a dance performance with other dancers in temple premises. Shocked that the temple is not allowing this," Tharoor said as quoted by news agency ANI.
An artist being denied to perform on the ground of religion has several cons but one most important disadvantage is, he said, it serves our society ill and also damages the perception of our religion in the eyes of others.
On Sunday, Mansiya wrote in a Facebook post, "My performance was slated for 4-5 PM on April 21 but one of the temple office-bearers called and informed me that I am not allowed to perform as I am a Non-Hindu."
All stages are allotted based on religion, not considering whether you are a good dancer or not. In the meantime, I have also been facing queries about whether I got converted into a Hindu after marriage. (She had married musician Shyam Kalyan). I have no religion and where should I go," she added.