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Religion
Gujarat pulls poem from Diwali booklet after VHP flags Ram references
✍️ India Today
🗓 26 Oct 2026, 05:02 PM
👁 15
The Gujarat state government withdrew a poem from its official Diwali publication after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad raised objections to references to the deity Ram.
Gujarat's cultural department announced the removal of a poem from the state‑issued Diwali booklet following a complaint lodged by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The VHP argued that the verses contained explicit references to the Hindu deity Ram, which it felt were unsuitable for a government‑produced cultural material.
The poem had been slated for inclusion in a Diwali publication distributed to schools and public offices across the state. After reviewing the VHP's concerns, officials decided to excise the piece to avoid further controversy and to respect the sentiments of the community.
State officials said the decision reflects a commitment to ensure that government literature remains neutral and inclusive. They added that the booklet will be re‑issued without the contested poem, and future content will undergo a more rigorous vetting process.
No other changes to the Diwali publication were reported, and the government has not indicated any legal action against the VHP. The episode underscores the sensitivity surrounding religious references in official communications in India.
The poem had been slated for inclusion in a Diwali publication distributed to schools and public offices across the state. After reviewing the VHP's concerns, officials decided to excise the piece to avoid further controversy and to respect the sentiments of the community.
State officials said the decision reflects a commitment to ensure that government literature remains neutral and inclusive. They added that the booklet will be re‑issued without the contested poem, and future content will undergo a more rigorous vetting process.
No other changes to the Diwali publication were reported, and the government has not indicated any legal action against the VHP. The episode underscores the sensitivity surrounding religious references in official communications in India.