India cancels invitation to Pak writers for conference

The National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) has withdrawn invitations to Pakistani litterateurs and critics for their participation in the upcoming World Urdu Conference “keeping in view the emotion” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people over a recent terror attack on security forces in Pulwama.

The two-day Conference is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from March 18.

Several poets and writers from Pakistan had been invited by the NCPUL to participate in the conference which will conclude on March 20.

“There is anger across the country against Pakistan. Since this is a matter of national security, we have cancelled the invitation given to Pakistani litterateurs and critics for their participation in the conference keeping in view the emotion of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people,” the Council said in a statement on Tuesday,

Condemning the Pulwama terror attack, NCPUL director Aquil Ahmed said that the invitations to Pakistani litterateurs and critics has been taken back “because there are clear evidence of Pakistani organization's hands behind the attack.”

Pakistan- based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility of the terror strike which claimed lives over 40 CRPF personnel and left many injured on February 14.

“The entire nation (India) is in shock. At this point of time, it is not apt to allow participation of Pakistani litterateurs and critics,” Ahmed said.

The NCPUL, which has mandate to promote, propagate and develop Urdu language, functions under the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry.