India: Muzaffarnagar Ramlila starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui cancelled after local Hindus protest

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Muzaffarnagar Ramlila starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui cancelled after local Hindus protest

The 42-year-old actor, who comes from Muzaffarnagar, had on Wednesday said he would play the character of 'Maricha' in the programme.

PTI | Posted by Avarnita Mathur
Muzaffarnagar, October 6, 2016 | UPDATED 12:56 IST

Highlights

1 Ramlila programme featuring actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui cancelled.
2 Programme cancelled after opposition by religious group.
3 Siddiqui was to play character of 'Maricha' in the programme.

A Ramlila programme featuring actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been cancelled following opposition by a religious group in Muzaffarnagar, police said today.

SIDDIQUI'S CHARACTER

The 42-year-old actor, who comes from Muzaffarnagar, had on Wednesday said he would play the character of 'Maricha' in the programme.

Maricha is a rakshasa (demon), who is killed by Ram. His most notable exploit is his role in the kidnapping of Sita, Ram's wife.

PROGRAMME CANCELLED

The Ramlila program featuring Nawazuddin at Budhana town has been cancelled over opposition by some Hindu activists, SP (Rural) Rakesh Jolly said.

The organisers had to cancel the programme after the activists approached them and expressed their displeasure over Nawazuddin's participation, he said.