Attack on literature is attack on nation: Deepak Vohra
Idrees Bukhtiyar
Srinagar, May 30: Retired Indian diplomat and former Ambassador to Armenia, Deepak Vohra on Saturday said literature plays a crucial role in preserving a nation’s identity and culture, asserting that attempts to undermine a country’s literary heritage are often aimed at weakening the nation itself.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir on the sidelines of the third edition of the Kashmir Literature Festival (KLF) at SKICC, Srinagar, Vohra said attacks on literature and cultural traditions have historically been used as tools to erode national confidence.
“If you want to weaken any nation, attack its literature,” he said, while referring to Thomas Babington Macaulay. Vohra claimed that Macaulay had sought to diminish the value of Indian literary traditions by promoting the superiority of English literature over indigenous knowledge systems.
“He said Indian literature is trash and English literature is the best. This is the kind of attack they make on a civilisation’s cultural foundations,” Vohra remarked.
The former diplomat said India has already established its strength in military and diplomatic spheres, but stressed the need to showcase the richness of its literary heritage on the global stage.
“Everybody knows about India’s military and diplomatic power. Now we have to prove ourselves in the field of literature as well. We must demonstrate that Indian literature is among the finest in the world,” he said.
Praising the growing literary culture in Kashmir, Vohra described the valley as the ‘land of Reshis’ and said he was impressed by the enthusiasm shown by participants at the festival.
“Kashmir is a land of great spiritual and literary traditions. Since morning, I have interacted with many people here and found them deeply enthusiastic about literature,” he said.
Vohra also highlighted the aspirations of Kashmiri youth, saying literature can serve as a bridge between Kashmir and the wider world.
“The children here want to tell the world that they are Indians and Kashmiris. They want people to come and engage with them. Literature is one of the most powerful ways to build those connections,” he said.
He added that he was encouraged by the response to the Kashmir Literature Festival and promised to continue participating in future editions of the event.