The Gujarat government has removed a poem by poet Aziz Tankarvi from the online edition of its annual Diwali publication following objections from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which alleged that the composition contained objectionable references to Lord Ram and Meera Bai.
The poem, published in Gujarat Deepotsavi Ank, an annual magazine brought out by the state Information and Broadcasting Department during Diwali, has been replaced with a composition titled Joiye by Kavi Prakash ‘Jalal’.
Gujarat VHP spokesperson Hitendrasinh Rajput confirmed the removal, saying the organisation was pleased with the state government’s response.
“We are glad that the state government promptly responded to our request and removed the controversial poem from the Diwali magazine,” Rajput said.
VHP Seeks Action Against Poet and Officials
On October 23, the VHP wrote to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, demanding the immediate removal of the poem and strict action against the poet and officials who approved its inclusion.
In the letter, Ashwin Patel, the VHP’s Ahmedabad region secretary, objected to the composition published on page 389 of this year’s magazine. He alleged that the poem contained objectionable references to Lord Ram and Meera Bai and hurt Hindu sentiments.
The organisation argued that the poem’s inclusion was particularly inappropriate in a Diwali publication, given the festival’s association with Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile.
The VHP also called for a review of authors’ previous works before their compositions are included in government publications.
It further demanded that future government publications feature writers whose outlook is positive towards the nation, religion and culture.
Government’s Response Awaited
Attempts to contact Information and Broadcasting Department Secretary Vikrant Pandey for comment were unsuccessful.
The online edition of Gujarat Deepotsavi Ank is available on the official website of the Gujarat government’s Commissionerate of Information.
