By Justice Katju
Pakistan has become a strange country. Now even quoting from Ghalib, the greatest Urdu poet, has become dangerous there.
I had written an article on Urdu poetry, and sent it to a well known Pakistani online publication for being published.The article mentioned this couplet of Mirza Ghalib, the most famous Urdu poet :
“ Imaan mujhe roke hai, jo khenche hai mujhe kufr Kaaba mere peeche hai, kaleesa mere aage “
Lo and behold ! I received this email from the publisher :
“ Dear Justice Katju
We are avoiding all pieces featuring religion and you mention the Kaaba. I’m afraid this will have repercussions for us here in Pakistan. As mentioned, emotions are high, and religious mention can cause damage. We will not be able to use it unfortunately.Regards xxxx “.
It seems there are many verses of Ghalib which will invite a death fatwa if recited today, like that issued to Salman Rushdie by Ayatollah Khomeni.
Thus Ghalib writes :
“ Masjid ke zer-e-saaya kharaabaat chaahiye “i.e.“ Below a mosque there should be a wine shop
“Similarly, he writes :
“ Kahaan maikhane ka darwaaza Ghalib aur
This is a subtle dig on religious clerics. Poetry of several famous Urdu poets may also invite a death fatwa in Pakistan today
Among the modern Urdu poets, Sahir Ludhianvi is outspokenly atheistic.
Consider the following lines :“Aqaayad vaham hai mazhab khyaal khaam hai saaqiAzal se zahen-e-insaan bastaa vaham hai saaqi
which means :
So it is best for Pakistanis to keep away from Urdu poetry, to avoid being declared a ‘kafir’ and having a death fatwa placed on their heads by some mad mullah, whose tribe has increased exponentially of late in Pakistan. After all, one would not relish the prospect of having ‘sar tan se juda’
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article above are those of the authors’ and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of this publishing house.
Author Justice Markandey Katju is former Chairman , Press Council of India and former Judge , Supreme Court of India. Author can be reached at justicekatju@admintnc
