Curfew in Nagpur leads to event cancellations

Nagpur is currently facing a curfew after riots broke out on March 17. This situation has caused many cultural and religious events to be postponed in the city. Important venues like the Suresh Bhat Auditorium and temples in Mahal are affected, leaving organizers with no choice but to delay or cancel their programs. One significant event affected is the Marathi play "Anathaancha Naath," which tells the story of Saint Eknath Maharaj. The play was supposed to take place on March 20, but it has now been rescheduled for July 7. Organizers mentioned that the auditorium is fully booked for the next two months, leaving them with no other options. Another event, the Nagpur summit of the 100th All India Marathi Theatre Congregation, was set to start on March 29. However, it may also be delayed or canceled as the venue remains under curfew. Meanwhile, a stand-up comedy show by Anubhav Singh Bassi on March 23 still hasn’t been canceled, but ticket holders are worried about possible last-minute changes. Religious events are suffering too. A kirtan at Gopakrishna Mandir, planned for March 20, was canceled, and only family members could conduct private rituals due to curfew restrictions. Many organizers and community members are anxiously watching the situation, hoping for clearer guidance from authorities. The disruptions have disappointed Nagpur’s cultural and religious community. With the holy month of Ramzan ending soon, preparations for Eid shopping have also been affected, as key shopping areas are closed. Hindus are facing uncertainty around the upcoming Gudi Padva celebrations at the end of March due to the ongoing curfew.