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Centre cancels Republic Day mushaira for the first time since 1950

The Mushaira was called off, following the Central government denying permission citing security concerns.This is the first time that the event has been called off, since it was revived by India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1950.

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The Republic Day Mushaira is held in the historic Red Fort every year
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The tussle between the Centre and Delhi's AAP government, has consumed an annual iconic event, the Republic Day Mushaira (poetry recitation) in the historic Red Fort, part of the Capital's tradition for the past 60 years.

The Mushaira was called off, following the Central government denying permission citing security concerns.This is the first time that the event has been called off, since it was revived by India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1950.

For centuries Mughal Emperors used to preside over the annual poetry recitation in the settings of Diwan-e-Aam, inviting the general public to hear leading poets of the times. But it was stopped, when the British took over Red Fort in 1857, following the failed First War of Independence. When Nehru revived the tradition, in 1950, it was held in the month of February. But a year later, it was coincided with the celebrations of Republic Day.

However a decade ago, citing security concerns, it was moved to January 17. This year however it has been called off completely, since the Ministry of Defence is holding an event at the Red Fort.

While the organiser, the Delhi government's Urdu Academy, blames the Central government, many said that mismanagement by Delhi's AAP government was responsible for the cancellation of the event. Others call it another attempt by the BJP government to break tradition. "This is not the first time that the government has tried to distort facts. It has been doing so with the education curriculum, Urdu language and with Ambedkar's theory," said Abdul Hameed Noumani, secretary of Jamat Ulema-e- Hind. Noumani also questions the intention of the state government which is otherwise very aggressive in dealing with the Centre. "We did not hear any kind of protest from the Delhi government for the Mushaira being called off," he said.

Former three-term vice chairman of Urdu Academy, Professor Akhtarul Wasey, alleges that the Centre is unnecessarily raising security issues. "This government can provide security to the entire city and the massive Republic Day event, but not to a handful of poets and poetry lovers," he told dna. Wasey is also a former professor of Jamia Milia Islamia. The professor also alleges that this is an attempt by the government to identify a particular community with acts of violence and terrorism. "The government is attempting to segregate Muslims from the rest," added the professor.

Another former member of the academy blames the poor managerial skills of academy intellectuals for the failure. "The AAP government has no sensitivity towards the arts and culture and no vision whatsoever for the
academy. They are just destroying the identity of the place," said Anis Azmi, former member of the academy.

The Delhi government, however, says that it will hold the Mushaira on February 15 and 16. The days coincide with the birth anniversary of famous Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib. "We were not given the venue because it is was booked by the Ministry of Defence till January 30, so we have shifted the dates," said Kapil Mishra, Delhi government culture minister. The argument has, however, not gone down well with poetry lovers. "This is gradual distortion of cultural heritage and identity. Celebrating Ghalib's birthday and Republic Day cannot coincide," added Azmi.

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