Sikh demo play under discussion

The author of the play was forced into hiding

The issues raised by the cancellation of controversial play Behzti are to be discussed at Birmingham University.

The work, which depicts rape and murder in a temple, was dropped by the city's Repertory Theatre after violence at a protest involving hundreds of Sikhs.

Its author, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, had to go into hiding in December after receiving death threats.

The dispute will be discussed at a seminar on Monday attended by a leading member of the Sikh community.

'Fair hearing'

It will address issues such as blasphemy, freedom of speech and censorship.

Mr Sewa Singh Mandla, chairman of the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Birmingham, and Dr Sirkku Hellsten, acting director of the Centre for the Study of Global Ethics, will be among the key speakers.

Dr Hellsten said: "We are committed to freedom of speech and to a fair hearing for minority communities' concerns.

"The fact that the incidents surrounding (the play) happened in our locality made it even more evident that we should hold a public debate on where the boundaries lie between freedom of speech and respect for people's beliefs."

The seminar takes place at 1730 GMT at the Centre for the Study of Global Ethics.