Bhubaneswar, Dec 6: The Odisha government has decided to ban obscene dances in jatras (traditional Odia theatre) across the state to uphold cultural decency. The announcement was made by Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj in the Assembly on Friday.

The minister stated that the government is drafting guidelines to eliminate vulgar performances in jatras and plans to consult organizers to enforce the ban effectively.

The decision follows concerns raised during the ongoing winter session of the Assembly. BJP MLA Sanatan Bijuli called for a separate law to protect Odisha’s cultural ethos, citing the need to curb obscenity in traditional performances. Similarly, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh pointed to a recent incident in Ganjam district where a Jatra performance faced public backlash for its objectionable content. Singh suggested censoring such shows before staging them.

Minister Suraj emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting Odia culture and decency, noting that obscene dance performances are already banned in bars statewide. The new guidelines for jatras will soon be introduced to align these traditional performances with Odisha’s cultural values.

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