Country’s culture should not be disrespected: Poets

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We must respect our country and our culture, which is the best. We should not disrespect it WASEEM BARELVI ,

Prominent poets of the state weighed in on the controversy over the Amazon Prime Video web series Tandav, saying the country’s culture should not be disrespected. They also said creative freedom did not give anybody the liberty to hurt religious sentiments.

Noted poet Waseem Barelvi said, “Our positivity is in our hands. We must respect our country and our culture, which is the best. We should not disrespect it. Our roots are so strong that we would not be shaken by such things. I try to remain away from controversies, but any effort to malign our culture is wrong. I am not with anyone, but I am with the culture of my country over the issue.”

Another poet Sanjay Mishra ‘Shauq’ said, “Any effort to create trouble by hurting religious sentiments must be condemned. The OTT (Over the Top) platforms must be monitored carefully. Just think of the reactions had the director taken liberty with any other community. In the name of literary liberty,

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hurting religious sentiments cannot be tolerated. I, as a poet, also write about social evils but never abuse sentiments.” Comic poet Sarvesh Asthana remarked, “I am for liberty for creative work, but not at the cost of maligning a religion or religious sentiments. OTT platforms are good, but they also have the responsibility of maintaining the sanctity of our culture.”

Another poet Abhay Nirbhik said, “OTT platforms, or Bollywood, if anyone is trying to depict our culture in the wrong way and hurting the sentiments of a community, must be banned. No one must be allowed to play with the unity and integrity of the country.”