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Poetry as the New Public Sphere

In an era where the boundaries of the public sphere are increasingly contested, the Department of Languages at Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru Central Campus, asserted the power of the written word through its annual poets’ meet, Sham-E-Ghazal, held on February 10, 2026.

Organised by the Club of Hindi and Urdu Poets (CHUP)—a name that ironically subverts its literal meaning "silent"—the event served as a vibrant platform for poetry recitation, soulful ghazals, and musical renditions. Students and faculty gathered to celebrate the aesthetic beauty of Urdu and Hindi literature, while simultaneously reflecting on the role of the artist in contemporary society.

The event could have been aptly called Hum CHUP nehin rehenge (We will not remain silent), which feels particularly poignant against the backdrop of recent controversies involving institutional gatekeeping. Participants drew parallels between their creative expressions and the broader silencing of critical voices in the academic and cultural landscape.

The discourse at the meet was underscored by recent allegations made by veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. In a widely discussed commentary, Shah detailed a snub by the Urdu Department of Mumbai University. According to the actor, he was invited to interact with students, only for the event to be cancelled 24 hours prior without explanation. In a bizarre turn of events, the university later requested he provide a reason for his "non-attendance."

"The arts cannot exist in a vacuum. When institutions succumb to external pressures to silence dissent, poetry becomes the last standing public sphere for truth."

Shah has attributed such institutional reticence to political pressure, stemming from his frequent questioning of the central government’s policies. He alluded to a decade-long trend of "silencing criticism," suggesting that his experience was a symptom of a larger systemic malaise.

At Christ University, the Sham-E-Ghazal stood as a counter-narrative to this trend. By providing a stage for uninhibited expression, the university’s Department of Languages highlighted that while formal institutions may waver, the spirit of the mushaira and the ghazal remains a resilient space for public discourse.

The evening concluded not only with applause for the melodies but also with a renewed commitment to the idea that literature remains a vital, vocal part of the Indian democratic fabric.

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