700 stars back writer of axed Sikh play

A London writer forced into hiding by Sikh extremists over her controversial play has received an open letter of support from more than 700 public figures.

Poet laureate Andrew Motion, Terry Jones, Prunella Scales and Tariq Ali, have signed the statement backing Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti over the work which depicts scenes of rape and violence at a Sikh temple.

On Saturday the play Behzti was axed following violent protests by some members of the Sikh community at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Ms Bhatti, 35, who is Sikh, was advised by police to go into hiding after she received death threats.

The letter is also signed by directors Jude Kelly and Richard Eyre; writers Ayub Khan Din, Willy Russell and Jonathan Coe; and actors Samuel West, Sheila Hancock and Timothy West as well as the cast of the play.

It says: "It is a legitimate function of art to provoke debate and sometimes express controversial ideas.

"Those who use violent means to silence it must be opposed and challenged. We all have the right to protest peacefully if a work of art offends us. We do not have the right to use violence and intimidation to prevent that work of art being seen by others." Plans for readings of the play at other venues have been shelved at Ms Bhatti's request.