December 20, 2004

Sikh leaders to meet police over play protest

BRITAIN
Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) - Sikh leaders in the Midlands will hold talks with police today after hundreds of angry protesters stormed a theatre to protest against a play that depicts sexual abuse and murder in a Sikh temple.

Three officers were hurt and three men arrested but later released on police bail after a peaceful protest against a Saturday night performance of the play turned violent, police said on Sunday.

The play "Behzti" (Dishonour), by Sikh writer Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, is described as a "black comedy".

It was not scheduled for Sunday, but another performance at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre is planned for Monday night.

"There are meetings due to take place tomorrow (Monday). One between the police and the Rep Theatre and one between police and representatives of the Sikh community," a police spokeswoman said.

Posted by kshaw at December 20, 2004 07:37 AM