India: Govt vs Urdu writers - Attack on freedom to express? (India Today TV debate)

India Today - March 22, 2016

Govt vs Urdu writers: Attack on freedom to express?

NCPUL, which comes under the union HRD ministry-led by Smriti Irani, said that the declaration form to be filled by authors under its bulk purchase scheme was only to ensure that the content should only create harmony and goodwill among various sections of the society and not otherwise.

New Delhi, March 22, 2016|Posted by Avarnita Mathur

The National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) recently introduced a form, requiring authors of the books that it acquires annually, to declare that the content will not be against the government or the country.
NCPUL, which comes under the union HRD ministry-led by Smriti Irani, said that the declaration form to be filled by authors under its bulk purchase scheme was only to ensure that the content should only create harmony and goodwill among various sections of the society and not otherwise.
Karan Thapar on his show 'To The Point' today asked whether this decision by NCPUL is a terrible mistake or is this move justified. His panel included writer and lyricst Javed Akhtar, editor of Nai Duniya, Shahid Siddiqui, BJP leader Suddhanshu Mittal and columnist Aakar Patel.
"This diktat on Urdu writers by NCPUL must be withdrawn," said writer and lyricst Javed Akhtar.
Slamming the move by NCPUL, Akhtar also emphasised that all major Urdu writers are progressive. "Urdu is the most secular language of the world, but is treated like RDX," added Akhtar.
However, NCPUL said the form, to be filled by authors, is not something new and this has been the practice for the last many years for the books sponsored by NCPUL.
"It is not for the academy or the govt to decide who is anti-national or not. If a mistake is made, it is the job of the publisher to correct it," said editor of Nai Duniya, Shahid Siddiqui.
"NCPUL is an autonomous organisation but appointees are political," added Siddiqui.
BJP leader Suddhanshu Mittal said, "In a democracy, anybody can criticise anyone within the framework of constitution."
"A writer's job is to look at the reality and then criticise," said columnist Aakar Patel.
This move has once again triggered controversy over nationalism putting government at the centre of the debate.


"This diktat on Urdu writers by NCPUL must be withdrawn," said writer and lyricst Javed Akhtar.

Slamming the move by NCPUL, Akhtar also emphasised that all major Urdu writers are progressive. "Urdu is the most secular language of the world, but is treated like RDX," added Akhtar.

However, NCPUL said the form, to be filled by authors, is not something new and this has been the practice for the last many years for the books sponsored by NCPUL.

"It is not for the academy or the govt to decide who is anti-national or not. If a mistake is made, it is the job of the publisher to correct it," said editor of Nai Duniya, Shahid Siddiqui.

"NCPUL is an autonomous organisation but appointees are political," added Siddiqui.

BJP leader Suddhanshu Mittal said, "In a democracy, anybody can criticise anyone within the framework of constitution."

"A writer's job is to look at the reality and then criticise," said columnist Aakar Patel.

This move has once again triggered controversy over nationalism putting government at the centre of the debate.