(1) This Act may be called 2[the Telangana Objectionable Performances Prohibition Act, 1956.]
(2) It extends to the whole of the State of 2Telangana.
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- 3[(1) “District Collector” in relation to the cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad means the Commissioner of Police;]
3[(1-A.)] “Government” means the State Government;
(2) “objectionable performance” means any performance which is likely to-
(i) incite or encourage 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
(ii) incite or encourage any person to commit murder, sabotage or any offence involving violence; or
1. The Andhra Pradesh Objectionable Performances Prohibition Act, 1956 in force in the combined State, as on 02.06.2014, has been adapted to the State of Telangana, under section 101 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (Central Act 6 of 2014) vide. the Telangana Adaptation of Laws Order, 2016, issued in G.O.Ms.No.45, Law (F) Department, dated 01.06.2016.
2. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.45, Law (F) Department, dated 01.06.2016.
3. Original clause (1) was renumbered as clause (1-A) and clause (1) was inserted before the clause as so renumbered by Act No. XXIII of
1958.
Short title and extent.
Definitions.
2 [Act No. VIII of 1956]
(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 recruitment of persons to, or the discipline of, any such force; or
(iv) promote feelings of enmity or hatred between different sections of the people of India; or, which-
(v) is deliberately intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of the citizens of India by insulting, blaspheming or profaning the religion or the religious beliefs of that class; or
(vi) is grossly indecent, scurrilous or obscene or intended for blackmail.
Explanation I.- A performance shall not be deemed to be an objectionable performance on the ground only that in the course thereof words are uttered or signs 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; and a performance in which words are uttered or signs or visible representations are made, pointing out, with a view to their removal, matters which are producing, or have a tendency to produce, feelings of enmity or hatred between different sections of the people of India, shall not be deemed to be an objectionable performance within the meaning of this clause.
Explanation II.- In judging whether any performance is an objectionable performance, the performance shall be considered as a whole.
Explanation III.—‟Sabotage‟ means the act of causing damage to any plant, stocks, bridges, roads or the like with [Act No. VIII of 1956] 3 intent to destroy or injuriously affect the utility of any plant, service or means of communication.
Explanation IV.— In this clause, „Government‟ shall include both the Central Government and any State Gavernment;
(3) “performance” means any play, pantomine or other drama or any burrakatha, and includes the signing of any ballad or the holding of any dialogue.