Urdu

New Delhi: In a latest development in the series of containing anti-national activities, Urdu writers publishing magazines or books have been asked to give an undertaking ensuring that their works are not anti-national and against the government.

Subsidiary unit of Ministry of HRD, National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) has released an additional form for all Urdu authors. The mandatory form, completely in Urdu language, asks all authors to fill it declaring that their work will not create ill-feelings against the nation and also the government.

The declaration that the authors had to sign read as follows:

I son/daughter of ______ confirm that my book/magazine titled ______ which has been approved for bulk purchase by NCPUL’s monetary assistance scheme does not contain anything against the policies of the Government of India or the interest of the nation, does not cause disharmony of any sort between different classes of the country, and is not monetarily supported by any government or non-government institution.

The form also warns authors that strict legal action will be taken against those will breach the contract.

NCPUL director Irteza Karim, defending the move, said that ‘if a writer wants financial aid from the government, of course the content cannot be against the government’.

“The rule was passed by NCPUL after a high-level meeting involving members of HRD Ministry. The decision was approved by the Home Ministry as well,” Karim told Indian Express.

The NCPUL was set up in 1996 with an objective to promote, develop and propagate Urdu language.

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