The Gujarat government has taken action to remove a poem from its annual Diwali publication after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) raised concerns about its content. The VHP alleged that the poem contained “objectionable” references to Lord Ram and the Bhakti saint Meera Bai. This decision follows a formal complaint from the VHP, which prompted a swift response from the state authorities.

Details of the Removed Poem

The poem in question was written by poet Aziz Tankarvi and featured in the online version of ‘Gujarat Deepotsavi Ank’, a magazine produced by the state’s Information and Broadcasting Department for the Diwali festival. Following the objections, the government replaced Tankarvi’s poem with a new composition titled “Joiye,” authored by Kavi Prakash ‘Jalal’. The change was confirmed by Hitendrasinh Rajput, a spokesperson for the VHP, who expressed satisfaction with the government’s prompt action.

On October 23, the VHP sent a letter to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, demanding the immediate removal of the poem and calling for disciplinary measures against the author and those responsible for approving the content. The letter highlighted that the poem was published on page 389 of the magazine and claimed that it hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.

The VHP’s objections were particularly significant given that Diwali commemorates Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. The organisation expressed concern about the appropriateness of including such a poem in a government publication, especially during a festival of such cultural importance. The VHP also urged for a review of authors’ previous works before their contributions are included in official publications.

Response from the VHP and Government

In their communication, the VHP requested that future government publications feature authors who maintain a positive outlook towards the nation, religion, and culture. Rajput confirmed that the organisation was pleased with the government’s swift response to their concerns, indicating a cooperative relationship between the VHP and the state authorities on matters of cultural sensitivity.

Efforts to obtain comments from Vikrant Pandey, the Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Department, were unsuccessful. The online version of ‘Gujarat Deepotsavi Ank’ remains accessible on the official website of the Gujarat government’s Commissionerate of Information, allowing the public to view the latest edition of the magazine.

This incident highlights the ongoing dialogue between cultural organisations and government entities regarding the representation of religious figures in public publications. The VHP’s actions reflect a broader trend of vigilance among certain groups concerning content that they perceive as potentially offensive or disrespectful to Hindu sentiments.

Implications for Future Publications

The removal of the poem raises questions about the criteria used for selecting content in government publications, particularly those associated with significant cultural events. The VHP’s insistence on a review process for authors may lead to changes in how literary contributions are evaluated in the future. This could result in a more stringent vetting process for works included in state-sponsored materials.

As the Gujarat government continues to navigate the complexities of cultural representation, the incident serves as a reminder of the sensitive nature of religious sentiments in India. The balance between artistic expression and respect for religious beliefs remains a challenging aspect of public discourse in the country.

Overall, the situation underscores the importance of dialogue between cultural organisations and government bodies, as they work towards a shared understanding of the values that underpin public publications, especially during significant festivals like Diwali.

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