Pune: A two-day National Level Street Play Competition and Workshop was successfully hosted at Dr. D. Y. Patil Law College. Organized in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) and the NSS Department of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), the event aimed to raise awareness about human rights and received an overwhelming response from students across various colleges.
The inaugural session of this two-day program was attended by Shri. Sanjay Kumar, Member, Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (Retd. IPS), Prof. (Dr.) Jyoti Bhakere, Officiating Registrar, Savitribai Phule Pune University.
Valedictory session was attended by Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission, Justice A. M. Badar, along with the Pro- Vice Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Prof. Dr. Parag Kalkar, and the Additional Commissioner, State Anti-Corruption Bureau, Shri. Sandeep Diwan. To make the competition a success, Shri. Vijay Kedar, Registrar, Maharashtra Human Rights Commission and Secretary of the Organizing Committee, Prof. Arjun Somvanshi, other members of the Organizing Committee, Asst. Prof. Dr. Vijeta Chaudhary, Asst. Prof. Samrudhee Shah, Asst. Prof. Pradeep Kendre, Asst. Prof. Dr. Anjum Ajmeri, Adv. Vivek Bhargude and all other teachers made special efforts under the guidance of Dr. SS Gopakumar, Principal of Dr. D. Y. Patil Law College, Pune.
The central theme of the national-level competition was ‘Human Rights in a Changing World: Facing New Challenges and Accepting Shared Responsibilities.’ The students presented compelling street plays based on critical sub-themes such as freedom of expression, gender equality, socio-economic rights, democratic values, and the challenges posed by technology.
Using street theatre, students powerfully presented narratives that emphasized social awareness and the importance of justice, equality, and inclusion. They effectively conveyed complex legal concepts and the necessity of human rights through attractive and direct dialogue, earning spontaneous appreciation. The competition delivered a clear message: youth can become carriers of social change through the effective use of theatre.
Justice A. M. Badar spoke about the impact of street plays in the concluding session: “Human rights are the pillars of a just and democratic society… The existence of law and institutions is crucial for their protection, but equally important is the spread of awareness at the grassroots level. This medium makes complex issues accessible to the common person by breaking down barriers such as language, literacy, and class distinctions. May this competition not only showcase artistic talent but also instill a culture of human rights in our society.”
Dr. S. S. Gopakumar added, “Street plays provide a dynamic platform for students to creatively express the complexities of legal rights and duties. Through this medium, students not only showcase their talents but also contribute to empowering their peers by inspiring positive changes.”
This national-level event successfully inspired the younger generation to take the values of justice and human dignity to the community, further underscoring that the protection of human rights is a collective responsibility.
