Centre asks Urdu writers to refrain from 'anti-national' writings

Urdu writers affiliated to the National Council for Promotion of Urdu (NCPUL) have been asked by the central government to refrain from writing anti-national content.

According to a ToI report, the Centre has issued a new circular advising the writers not to produce content ''against national interest" or that which creates hatred among communities.

As per the report, the NCPUL website now features a declaration form that the authors are required to sign. "The contents of the book, periodical, manuscript, magazine and project do not have any material which is against the national interest or which may create any sort of hatred amongst the different sections of the society," the declaration reads.

NCPUL is a body which promotes Urdu language under the Human Resource Development ministry (HRD). Therefore some writers are of the opinion that it is understandable that it would not entertain any material that is against national interests while others have termed the move a kind of "declaration of loyalty" and asked why Urdu writers in particular had to sign it.

The controversial move is expected to lead to more outrage as reactions from writers are pouring in.