The National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) has withdrawn the controversial clause asking authors to declare that their books are not “anti-government”. They would still, however, need to refrain from writing “against national interest” or anything that creates “hatred amongst different sections of society”.

As first reported by The Indian Express on March 19, the NCPUL, an autonomous body under the Human Resource Development Ministry, had imposed some conditions on Urdu writers before acquiring their books under the ‘Bulk Purchase of Books scheme’ for distribution among libraries.

All authors were required to fill up a declaration form which stated that the content of their book is not against the government or the country. They were also expected to get this form signed by two witnesses.