The Gujarat government replaced Aziz Tankarvi's poem in its online Diwali magazine after a VHP complaint. The move highlights pressure over alleged religious offence in official cultural publications.Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Ahmedabad,Oct 26, 2026 14:30 ISTThe Gujarat government has removed a poem from the online version of its annual Diwali publication after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad alleged that it contained objectionable references to Lord Ram and Bhakti saint Meera Bai, news agency PTI reported.Poet Aziz Tankarvi's composition in Gujarat Deepotsavi Ank, a magazine published every Diwali by the state Information and Broadcasting Department, has been replaced with a poem titled Joiye by Kavi Prakash Jalal.The VHP had written to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on October 23, seeking the immediate removal of the poem and strict action against the author and the officials who had approved it.Gujarat VHP spokesperson Hitendrasinh Rajput confirmed to PTI that Tankarvi's poem had been replaced. “We are glad that the state government promptly responded to our request and removed that controversial poem from the Diwali magazine,” Rajput said.

In the letter, VHP Ahmedabad region secretary Ashwin Patel objected to the poem published on page 389 of this year's magazine. He alleged that it contained objectionable references to Lord Ram and Meera Bai and hurt Hindu religious sentiments.The VHP said the inclusion of such a composition in a government publication was particularly disturbing as Diwali is associated with Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.

It also sought action against the officials who approved the poem and called for a review of authors' previous works before their compositions are included in government publications. The organisation further demanded that future government publications feature authors who have a positive outlook towards the nation, religion and culture.

Attempts to contact Information and Broadcasting Department Secretary Vikrant Pandey for comment were unsuccessful.The online edition of Gujarat Deepotsavi Ank, available on the official website of the Gujarat government's Commissionerate of Information, now carries Kavi Prakash 'Jalal's' poem in place of Tankarvi's composition.- Ends