The Hindu : New Delhi News : “No query on Pak. politics, please!”

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007
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New Delhi

“No query on Pak. politics, please!”

Staff Reporter

We are here on a cultural trip, say students from Lahore

NEW DELHI: They assert they are on a “cultural trip” to India and refuse to answer any query or comment on the delicate political situation that their Emergency-ruled country finds itself in.

The students’ group from the Dramatics Club of Government College University, Lahore, who are on a visit here now to stage theatre performances in Delhi University, maintain that their institution “was not involved in any political activity” and so would not entertain any political questions.

The 20-member group comprising 17 students from the Pakistani university are being hosted by Delhi University’s Culture Council and Kamala Nehru College. This is perhaps the first time that a dramatics group of an educational institution from the neighbouring country is performing in India.

“In India, the students are politically active. In Pakistan, the students are aware but since there have been no students’ union since 1982, the universities are not deeply involved in politics. We all have strong personal opinions, but that has nothing to do what we are here for,” says Farhan Ebadat Yar Khan, Director of Students’ Affairs of the G. C. University, who is heading the group.

“Just as the Pakistani cricket team is here to play, we are here to present our performances and would like to focus on our work,” adds Daniyal Talat, president of the Dramatics Club.

Established in 1890, the Club has had many renowned persons working under its banner. Balraj Sahni, Dev Anand and his elder brother Chetan Anand, Kamini Kaushal, Rafi Peerzada are some of them. The group will stage “Amar Bail” and “Behen Bhai” at Kamala Nehru College on Tuesday and also perform at Hindu College, Lady Shri Ram College for Women and India Habitat Centre in the next few days.

While “Amar Bail” has been directed by Dr. Khan, the latter has been directed by students Danish Jehangir Khan and Madiha Gul.

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