SRINAGAR: Two universities in Kashmir have confirmed that they have removed the poetry of Agha Shahid Ali and Basharat Peer’s Curfewed Night from the master’s programme of English. While the University of Kashmir was teaching at least three of Agha’s poems besides the Peer memoir, the Central University of Kashmir had two other poems as part of its English master’s programme.
The decision cites Shahid’s poetry as falling under the category of “Resistance Literature,” a classification presumed to foster a “secessionist mindset, aspiration, and narrative” among students. Though there are no formal orders available, the university managers have admitted that the decision has been taken.
KU would teach Agha’s three poems – Postcard from Kashmir, In Arabic and The Last Saffron to third-semester students. Besides, Peer’s Curfewed Night was also part of the same semester.
The CUK had Agha’s two other poems – I see Kashmir from New Delhi at Midnight and Call me Ishmael Tonight to the students of Integrated Masters in English.
Agha Shahid Ali, an alumnus of the very institution where his works have been banned, has been hailed as one of Kashmir’s most memorable immigrant poets. Despite being celebrated globally for his poignant verses, the varsity has not always embraced his work. In the past, the University of Kashmir declined Shahid to teach its students, revealing an unfortunate disconnect between the alma mater and the accomplished poet.
To honour the literary legacy of Agha Shahid Ali, the University of Kashmir had previously organised seminars dedicated to him, aiming to explore the depth of his works and their relevance to the region. Discussions during these seminars touched upon his powerful poetry.
Interestingly, a detailed obituary of Agha Shahid Ali written by Amitav Gosh The Ghat of the Only World is part of the English textbook for the twelfth class being taught by CBSE and NCERT throughout the country. While it makes chapter 6 of the CBSE textbook, the same essay is chapter 4 of the NCERT’s supplementary textbook, Snapshots.
