Security fears?: Gulzar goes back to India

Rehman Malik suggests someone from the US called Gulzar and 'misled' him over an attack in Karachi.


Afp/our Correspondent February 13, 2013
Indian poet Gulzar. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE

KARACHI: Oxford University Press (OUP) confirmed that Indian poet Gulzar, along with director Vishal Bhardwaj, have gone back to India soon after crossing over into Pakistan through the border at Wagah.

“Regretfully, Gulzar returned to India via Wagah border today. It is a great loss for his readers and admirers in Pakistan,” Managing Director of OUP Ameena Saiyid told The Express Tribune via email.

Saiyid added that she did not have any direct information about a security threat. “I was taken by surprise by his sudden unplanned departure. I was getting ready to receive him at the Karachi airport tomorrow when I heard that he has returned to India.”

Syed Ahmed Shah, one of the organisers of the Karachi Literature Festival, confirmed Gulzar had pulled out – just two days before the start of the event.

"We can't say about the reasons and circumstances that led to his return home without attending the festival," Shah told AFP.

Gulzar returned over security fears?

Interior Minister Rehman Malik refuted the notion that Gulzar was deported saying the poet returned to India on his own. Malik in a tweet from his official account insisted that instead of having anything to do with his return, he had arranged for the poet’s security.
“Mr.Gulzar left for India on his own. He had valid visa. He is not deported. I had arranged fool proof security in Karachi but [he] did not visit there.”

In a subsequent tweet, Malik suggested that Gulzar was returning due to security fears, having been “misled” by a USA based friend about a possible attack in Karachi.
“I attended the matter of Mr. Gulzar personally. His friend from USA had called him and misinformed him that he might be attacked in Karachi.”

He added that he had personally tended to security of the poet, even directing security officers to meet with Gulzar and assure him of security.
“Pakistan security officers spoke to Gulzar under my directions and assured him full security in Karachi but he left despite assurances.”

Indian mission denies political pressures

The Indian High Commission, when contacted by The Express Tribune, however denied involvement in sending Gulzar back.

First Secretary Press and Information of Indian High Commission Janardan Singh said that Gulzar’s visit was private and they were not aware of his itinerary. He refuted media reports which suggested that Gulzar was sent back to India by the high commission.

Bhardwaj told NDTV that their return from Pakistan was not due to political reasons.

He said that Gulzar was emotionally overwhelmed after visiting his birthplace in Dina after 70 years, and had to be escorted back to India immediately. The trip was made to record a song for his new film ‘Dedh Ishqia’ but the recording was cancelled as well, he added.

“There is nothing political about it. We plan to visit Pakistan again for recording as soon as Gulzar Saab feels better,” Bhardwaj was further quoted as saying.

But a Pakistani film director who met Gulzar during his visit, told AFP on condition of anonymity that he left the country "because of some security concerns".

Gulzar was scheduled to read from his poetry as well as take part in discussion groups and Shah said his absence would disappoint millions of admirers in Pakistan.

"Pakistan had welcomed him with great warmth and zeal two days ago as he is hugely popular as well in our country," Shah said.

"His arrival was a great confidence building measure between the two neighbours and had boosted morale of the people living across the border for a better future relationship."

Earlier during the day, media reports suggested that Gulzar was sent back to India from Wagah border due to certain "security concerns".

The festival will be attended by more than 200 literary luminaries from Pakistan and overseas. The event is free-of-charge and will run all day long from 10am to 7pm over a three-day period from February 15 to February 17.

British-Pakistani novelist Nadeem Aslam will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural session of the festival.

COMMENTS (64)

sandeep limaye | 11 years ago | Reply what a ridiculous debate is going on... gulzar saheb is not a political person... he might have some health related problem and came back and everyone is trying to humiliate Pakistan here ... i m very sad at the mentality of the people ... in this non political issues people can play politics .... what a shame!
Anam | 11 years ago | Reply

@Singh: @galib: I said Abdus Salam's work LED to the discovery of the Higs boson. Salam introduced the induction of the massive Higgs bosons in the theory of the Standard Model, where he predicted the hypothetical form of radioactive decay emitted by Protons, thus he theorised the existence of proton decay. It was based on his work that this discovery came about. No doubt an Indian scientist 'put the name Bose in bosson'. I'm not arguing with that. But what you need to understand is that, this theory came about, as it was based on his work as well.

@yuri kondratyak the way you phrased begs to differ. However, I agree that what @lala gee said was WRONG. Gulzar is an amazing poet, and I had the opportunity to meet him last year at the Jaipur lit festival. Yes, we Pakistanis too have our share of amazing poets, but that doesn't mean our neighbours have any less. We should come together and celebrate both sides. It is truly our loss that Gulzar went back. Also, I would request all the Indians on this website to remember that Pakistanis here are too a big fan of your artists, and because of a few ignorant people's comments, do not view our entire community with distaste. So, I chose this platform to spread peace within the two countries- who's with me?

Ps: there are ignorant people everywhere, but lets not blame an entire race for one persons stupidity. This goes for Pakistanis and Indians.

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