Won't write against the government: Authors belonging to Urdu body asked to sign declaration

In a decision which has stoked massive controversy, Urdu writers whose books are acquired for distribution by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), have been asked to declare that their written content will not be against the government or the country.  

NCPUL works directly under the HRD Ministry and Smrit Irani is the chairperson of the body.  According to an Indian Express report, a form has been circulated among Urdu writers.

The form has an undertaking which reads as, “I son/daughter of confirm that my book/magazine titled which has been approved for bulk purchase by NCPUL’s  monetary assistance scheme does not contain anything against the policies of the government of India or the interest of the nation, does not cause disharmony of any sort between different classes of the country, and is not monetarily supported by any government or non-government institution.” Te Urdu writers have to sign the form in the presence of two witnesses. 

NCPUL has justified this dictat saying that they are government employees and hence any author who wants financial aid have to protect the interests of the government.  However,  most of the writers are displeased with the form and see it as a measure to quell dissent. Many believe that writers are the mirror of the society and this kind of form will lead to arm-twisting of the exponents of Urdu literature.