Vidhi Codex

The Puducherry Dramatic Performances Act, 1965

The Puducherry Dramatic Performances Act, 1965

General196514 sections

The Puducherry Dramatic Performances Act, 1965, regulates public plays, pantomimes, and dramas within the Union Territory of Puducherry. Applying to organizers, performers, and venue owners, the law allows the government to ban performances deemed objectionable, such as those inciting violence, outraging religious feelings, or threatening national security. It matters because it directly impacts freedom of expression by granting authorities the power to halt events, demand scripts beforehand, and punish violators with fines or up to three months of imprisonment. However, the act also ensures that individuals targeted by these bans have the right to appeal to the High Court.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 0. Preamble
  2. 1. Short title, extent and commencement.
  3. 2. Definitions.
  4. 3. Power to prohibit objectionable performances.
  5. 4. Power to prohibit objectionable performances temporarily.
  6. 5. Service of order of prohibition.
  7. 6. Penalty for disobeying order.
  8. 7. Penalty for disobeying prohibition.
  9. 8. Power to call information.
  10. 9. Power to call for copy of purport of drama, etc.
  11. 10. Appeal to High Court.
  12. 11. Saving of prosecutions under other laws.
  13. 12. Protection for acts done in good faith.
  14. 13. Power to make rules.

PDF: pending for this language.