Strongly condemning the sacking of the directors of Rangayana and the members of the Ranga Samaja, senior theatre personalities and writers on Monday said the ouster is being seen as an attempt to “politicise” the institutions of cultural eminence such as theatre repertory Rangayana, which were free from government interference.

They argued that the government seems to have failed to understand how institutions like Rangayana, which was not run directly by it but by the Ranga Samaj, function and therefore the sacking order was nothing but “illegal”.

Describing the decision a “dangerous precedent”, noted theatre personality and former Rangayana director Prasanna demanded that the government correct the blunder by respectfully reinstating members. “Otherwise, it will be seen that whoever takes over the institutions later would be from the BJP,” he told reporters here. Mr. Prasanna said, “What has hurt all of us was the sacking, giving no valid reason and before the directors’ three-year tenure ends.”

Critic and writer Rajendra Chenni said the government should protect the autonomy of Rangayana instead of harming it with such steps. The decision is an act of politicising a culturally strong institution, and the government should reconsider its order, he said. Former Rangayana director H. Janardhana said the action reflects the ignorance of the people at the helm of affairs about Rangayana and its background. B.V. Karanth founded it with great passion and it was being carried on by veterans. The government’s meddling will only limit the life of such institutions, he added.

Bhageerathi Bai Kadam, the director of Rangayana who was sacked, said the decision has hurt her since she came all the way from Assam, respecting her appointment to an institution which was known nationally. The marching orders may hamper her plans for the institution, but it will not stop her from her commitment to theatre, said Ms. Kadam.