The following is a statement:
We, Writers/Poets/Play wrights hereby strongly condemn the declaration form issued by NCPUL to give an undertaking by the author who is entitled for monetary assistance by the council should not write anything against the Government policies.
Such declaration Form has been introduced by the ministry of Human Resources Development recently.
So far we had not heard of any such declaration nor we have sign such imposed draconian declaration by the government in a democratic country like India.
Writers across the world, from all languages, have the freedom to criticize the government.
Why should we be made to sign such a declaration?
Why do the Government demand it to be signed by two witnesses?
This is an insult to the writers, and such interference cannot be tolerated by the writers community.
We strongly feel this undemocratic move by the Government is aimed at humiliating a section of the Indian population with preconceived notion that Urdu writers belong to a certain community, they would criticize the Government, and hence should be doubted and would have to keep proving himself/herself a loyal citizen.
As the history goes and everyone knows that Urdu is an Indian language Born and brought up by Indians. (Imbibed or nation) Urdu played a very vital and instrumental role in the freedom movement of India. Freedom fighters such as Bhagat singh Wrote his diary in Urdu before sacrificing his life for the Nation.
Munshi Premchand, Raghupati Sahay (Firaq Gorakhpuri), Brij narayan Chakbast, Jagannath Azad, Ratan nath Sharshar, were the great Urdu writers and poets of our nation.
The Present renowned contemporary writers such as Gopi chand Narang, Gulzar (Sampooran Singh Kalra), Rajesh reddy, are known for their versatility in Urdu prose and poetry.
The narrow minds that have drafted this declaration form are unaware of our history and the Contribution of Urdu to the freedom struggle of our Nation.
A government is not the Nation, criticism of any Government is an important part of a democracy and this right cannot be snatched away from the citizens.
It is disgusting the present government is restoring to these steps because it has no economic, social or political agenda.
This is an undeclared censorship on poetry, literature and theatre.
We the writers community ask the Government of India why are only Urdu writers asked to give such an autocratic declaration?
This clearly indicated that the present Union Government looks at Urdu publications and its writers with an eye of suspicion.
Its an attack on all creative work in society.
We are able and matured enough to understand the objection to content that goes against national interest, but how can they ask us not to criticize Government.
This is nothing but to stifle our creativity and freedom of Speech.
We all the writers, poets and play writes will continue our rightful protest against the move and will continue asserting our demand the HRD ministry withdraw this anti-art and anti-literature dictum which is nothing but sign of fascism. We strongly recommend the government to immediately withdraw the Declaration Form.
