NCPUL prohibits Urdu writers from criticising government

March 21, 2016

New Delhi: Mar 21: The National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) has stoked a controversy after it made it mandatory for the Urdu authors to undertake in writing that their books, to be procured under a scheme, did not contain anything against the policies of the government.

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Tariq Anwar, a member of the NCPUL and a Congress MP, on Sunday described the move as “biased and an attack on freedom of expression”, demanding that the council must withdraw its decision with immediate effect.

To get their books purchased by the NCPUL under a scheme, Urdu authors are now required to fill a form, declaring that their book, journal or booklet does not contain anything which goes against the policies of the Indian government, national interest, or which promotes disharmony between the various communities.

As the requirement to fill up such a declaration form led to an outrage, the council issued a clarification on Saturday claiming that the said form, to be filled by the authors, was not something new and that this had been the practice for the last many years for the books sponsored by the NCPUL.

The council's claim, however, was categorically rubbished by Anwar as well writers and former director of the NCPUL Khwaja Ekram. “This is absolutely false,” Anwar told Deccan Herald.

The council's clarification was issued by the Human Resource Development Ministry. “I will raise the issue in the council's meeting and also write to HRD Minister Smriti Irani, demanding withdrawal of ICPUL's decision. Attempts are being made to take away the freedom of expression since the Bharatiya Janata Party led coalition came to power at the Centre,” Anwar added.

Author Shahnaz Nabi, whose book had been purchased by the council under the scheme last year, said he had not been asked to furnish such a declaration form.

Though the council did not mention any details about the book and its content, sources said that it was book written by Afzal Misbahi who had mentioned Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's birthplace as Punjab. But, a committee set up to look into the complaint against the author gave him a clean chit as he had attributed this incorrect information about Azad to book by some other author.

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December 2,2025

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Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Mangaluru, Nov 30: A 22-year-old college student succumbed to her injuries at a private hospital in Mangaluru today, days after she was hit by a goods tempo while crossing a road in Padubidri.

The deceased has been identified as Preksha, a resident of Nadsalu Billitota in Padubidri. The fatal incident occurred as Preksha, who was returning home after completing her examination, attempted to cross the service road towards Mangaluru. She was struck by a goods tempo approaching from the Udupi side, causing her to fall and sustain a severe head injury.

Prompt action from local residents ensured she received immediate first aid before being rushed to a hospital in Mangaluru for specialised treatment. Despite medical efforts, she passed away while undergoing care.

Preksha was a student at Karavali College, Vamanjoor on the outskirts of Mangaluru city. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that she belonged to a financially vulnerable family, having previously lost her father. She is survived by her mother and brother.

A case related to the accident has been registered at the Padubidri police station, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to the collision. The incident highlights the growing concerns over road safety, particularly on busy service roads, and serves as a tragic reminder of the human cost of traffic accidents.

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December 1,2025

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Udupi, Dec 1: A horrific case of alleged rape has unfolded in Udupi, where a worker from a Hindutva organisation, previously arrested and released on bail for harassing a young woman, is now accused of waylaying and sexually assaulting her.

The arrested individual has been identified as Pradeep Poojary (26), a member of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike's Nairkode unit in Perdur.

Poojary had allegedly been relentlessly harassing the young woman, pressuring her to marry him. When she bravely stood up to him and refused his demands, she filed a formal complaint at the Hiriyadka police station. He was subsequently arrested in that initial harassment case but was later granted bail.

According to police reports, driven by the same malicious grudge, Poojary allegedly intercepted the woman again on November 29. While she was walking through a deserted area, the accused is claimed to have threatened her by grabbing her neck. When she again refused to marry him, he allegedly proceeded to rape her.

The survivor immediately informed her family about the traumatic assault. Following this, her parents lodged a complaint at the Udupi women’s police station.

Police arrested Poojary again and produced him before the court. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

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