A delegation led by MLA Rais Qasim Shaikh urges Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar to extend benefits of the scheme to Urdu poets and writers
MUMBAI — A demand to include Urdu poets and writers in the Maharashtra government’s recently launched ‘Kalavant’ scheme is gaining support, with a delegation of Urdu literary figures meeting Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar to seek their inclusion in the programme.
The delegation, led by MLA Rais Qasim Shaikh, met the minister at Vidhan Bhavan and submitted a request urging the government to extend the benefits of the scheme to Urdu poets and writers.
The meeting was held after the literary organisation Urdu Karwan submitted a representation to MLA Shaikh. The delegation included noted poet Irfan Jafri, Ubaid Azam Azmi, Dr Qamar Siddiqui and Urdu Karwan president Farid Ahmad Khan.
During the meeting, the delegation told the minister that Urdu poets and writers have long been an important part of Maharashtra’s literary, cultural and social heritage. They said the Urdu literary community has made a significant contribution to the state’s shared culture and literary traditions and therefore deserves to be included in the ‘Kalavant’ scheme.
The delegation said that extending the scheme to Urdu poets and writers would enable them to receive financial assistance from the government, patronage and other benefits available under the programme.
They also pointed out that Urdu is not only an important literary language in Maharashtra but has also played a major role in strengthening the state’s composite culture. According to the delegation, Urdu poets and writers have contributed greatly to promoting communal harmony and preserving Maharashtra’s cultural heritage.
“The services of Urdu poets and writers should be recognised at the government level, and they should be given the same opportunity as other artists to benefit from this scheme,” the delegation said.
Responding to the representation, Minister Ashish Shelar assured the delegation that the government would initiate the necessary official process to include Urdu poets in the ‘Kalavant’ scheme so that they can also receive its benefits.
MLA Shaikh thanked the minister for his positive response and expressed hope that the government would soon take a formal decision on the matter.
He said such a decision would provide Urdu poets and writers with government support, financial assistance and encouragement on par with artists from other fields.
Members of the delegation said they hope the Maharashtra government will accept the demand and extend the scheme to the Urdu literary community.
