In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires –
(1) “Competent Authority” means -
(a) in relation to the entire Union territory of Puducherry the District Magistrate, and
(b) in relation to Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam the Administrator of the respective region.
(2) “Objectionable performance” means any play, pantomime or other drama which is likely to --
(i) incite any person to resort to violence or sabotage for the purpose of overthrowing or undermining the Government established by law in India or in any State thereof or its authority in any area; or + This Act came into force w.e.f 19.05.1965.
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(ii) incite any person to commit murder, sabotage or any offence involving violence; or
(iii) seduce any member of any of the armed forces of the Union or of the Police Forces from his allegiance or his duty, or prejudice the recruiting of persons to serve in any such force or prejudice the discipline of any such force; or
(iv) incite any section of the citizens of India to acts of violence against any other section of the citizens of India; or which --
(v) is deliberately intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of the citizens of India by insulting or blaspheming or profaning the religion or the religious beliefs of that class; or
(vi) is grossly indecent, or is scurrilous or obscene or intended for blackmail;
Explanation I. --- A performance shall not be deemed to be objectionable merely because in the course thereof words are signs uttered or visible representations are made, expressing disapprobation or criticism of any law or of any policy or administrative action of the Government with a view to obtain its alteration or redress by lawful means.
Explanation II. --- In judging whether any performance is an objectionable performance, the play, pantomime or other drama shall be considered as a whole.
(3) “public place” means any building or enclosure, or any place in the open air and any pandal where the sides are not enclosed to which the public are admitted to witness a performance;
(4) “State Government” means the Administrator appointed under Article 239 of the Constitution.
3. Power to prohibit objectionable performances. --- (1) Whenever the State Government are satisfied that any play, pantomime or other drama performed or about to be performed in a public place is an objectionable performance, they may, by order stating the grounds on which they consider the performance objectionable, prohibit the performance.
(2) No order under sub-section (1) shall be passed without giving a reasonable opportunity to the organizer or other principal persons responsible for the conduct of the performance or to the owner or occupier of the public place in which such performance is intended to take place to show cause why the performance should not be prohibited.
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(3) Every order made under sub-section (1) shall be published in the State Gazette.
(4) Any order made under sub-section (1) may also be notified by proclamation and a written or printed notice thereof may be affixed at any place or places adapted for giving information of the order to the persons intending to take part in the performance so prohibited.