Members of one University community are upset about posters promoting an LSU Theatre student production they say offends their religion.
A group of Indian students said the posters, for the Studio Season’s “Accidental Death of an Anarchist,” misrepresent the ideas of Indian culture and religious beliefs.
The play, directed by Belle Caplis, a theatre senior, is a dark comedy about Italian police corruption and a crazy man who escapes the police and impersonates a judge.
To advertise the upcoming event, Caplis and her graphic designer made and put out posters across campus. The posters had one of three different quotes from the play on the top of them.
One particular poster read “In this country, crazy people are like sacred cows in India. Lay a finger on them and they lynch you.”
Indian students said they were outraged and somewhat confused about the posters.
Anuradha Vij, an accounting junior, said that some students were afraid of “being sent back to their country for speaking out,” but were so angered they had to address the issue.
“We are very outraged and upset about this,” Vij said. “How can you compare something crazy to something sacred, religiously, to another culture or country?”
The group said they felt the poster misrepresents the ideas of the Hindu religion.
“It is really unbelievable,” Vij said. “You don’t write this and try to make money off of putting down another culture.”
Adam Miller, director of marketing and public relations for Swine Palace and LSU Theatre, said the whole controversy seemed to arise because of a misunderstanding.
“No ill-will was ever intended toward the Hindu religion,” Miller said. “If they knew in foresight that it would have offended people, I’m sure they never would’ve printed it.”
Caplis said she also did not see the potential offensiveness of the line beforehand.
“It was not about the religious connotation at all,” Caplis said. “So I am apologetic about that it offended people.”
Vij, who was designated the “leader” of the upset students, met with Neil Mathews, vice chancellor for Student Life and Academic Affairs, Tuesday to discuss the matter.
Mathews talked to the Department of Theatre chair Tuesday and helped set up a meeting between Caplis and the play’s cast and the upset students to discuss their feelings about the posters.
The students told Caplis and Chairman Michael Tick they were upset, Caplis said. She explained the line is from the play and that it does not apply to India at all.
“The show is just a hysterical comedy,” Caplis said.
The controversial posters are no longer up around campus. Most were pulled down by the angered students.
“We will be putting up more posters, but not any of that type,” Caplis said.
Caplis invited all Indian students who were offended to attend a private preview of the play last night. The play officially opens March 26 and lasts through April 4.