Munawwar Rana

Indian poet (1952–2024)

Munawwar Rana

Born| (1952-11-26)26 November 1952
Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, India
Died| 14 January 2024(2024-01-14) (aged 71)
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Occupation| Urdu poet, writer
Period| 20th century
Genre| Poetry, Ghazal
Notable awards| Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu Literature (2014;[1] returned in 2015)[2]
Spouse| Raina Rana
Children| 5
Website
munawwarrana.in

Munawwar Rana (26 November 1952 – 14 January 2024) was an Indian Urdu poet. He was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his poem Shahdaba.[3][4]

## Early life[edit]

Munawwar Rana was born on 26 November 1952 in Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, India. He spent most of his life in Kolkata, West Bengal.[5]

## Poetic style[edit]

Rana wrote in Urdu and Awadhi, but avoided the Persian and Arabic vocabulary which distinguish Urdu from Hindi. This makes his poetry accessible to Indian audiences and explains his popularity in the poetic meets held in non-Urdu areas.[6][7] His poetry exuding love for mother and motherland reached global audience through skillful translation by fellow Indian poet Dr Tapan Kumar Pradhan.[8] [9]

## Ghazals[edit]

Munawwar published several ghazals[10] with a distinct style of writing. Most of his shers (couplets) have "mother" as the centre point of his love.[11][12] His Urdu ghazals have been translated into English by Tapan Kumar Pradhan.[13]

## Controversies[edit]

### Ram Mandir verdict[edit]

In August 2020, Munawwar Rana accused former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi of "selling himself" to deliver the Ayodhya verdict.[14] He further said that it was not justice, it was an order.[14] His comment could not be published due to its highly derogatory nature.[14]

### Murder of Samuel Paty[edit]

In October 2020, Rana spoke in support of the murder of Samuel Paty, a French school teacher who used two caricatures of Muhammad from the pages of Charlie Hebdo in a class on freedom of expression.[15][16] Speaking to the media, Munawwar said that the caricatures were made to defame Muhammad and Islam and that such acts force people to take extreme steps as in the case of France. He further said that he too would have done the same had he been in his place.[17] When asked during the interview, if he endorsed the killings, Mr. Rana repeated, "I will kill [that person]."[18]

The Uttar Pradesh Police charged him under IPC 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on the ground of religion), 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion), 298 (Uttering, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person), 505(1)(b) (Punishes those with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm among the public, or any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the state or against the public tranquility), 505(2) (Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report, with intent to incite, or which is likely to incite, any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community) and IT Act 67 and 66.[15]

Talking to a news agency, Rana said:

> I stand by my statement. "Na dal badlu hoon, na byan badlu hoon." [Neither do I change sides, nor do I change my statements].[18]

### Favour of Taliban[edit]

Rana refused to recognize the Taliban as a terrorist organization, amid an ongoing controversy over the statements made in the organisation's favour.[19][20][21]

### Comparing Maharishi Valmiki To Taliban[edit]

In August 2020 while talking to a channel, Rana said:

> Valmiki became a God after he wrote the Ramayana, before that he was a dacoit. A person's character can change. Similarly, the Taliban, for now, are terrorists, but people and characters change. When you talk about Valmiki, you will have to talk about his past. In your religion, you make anyone God. But he was a writer, and he wrote the Ramayana, but we are not in competition here.[22][23]

In response, Madhya Pradesh Police registered the case under IPC Section 505(2) (statements conducing to public mischief) and it was forwarded to Hazratganj police station at Lucknow in UP.[24][25][26] Another FIR registered against him mentioned IPC Sections 505 (2) (public mischief) and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.[22]

The Allahabad High Court refused to quash an FIR filed against him for allegedly comparing Ramayana author Valmiki, with the Taliban.[27][28] The division bench of Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Saroj Yadav asked Rana's lawyer, "Why do you (Rana) make such kind of remarks. Why don't you (Rana) do what your work is?"[29]

## Personal life[edit]

Munnawar Rana was married and lived in Lucknow.[30]

His son Tabrez Rana was arrested by Rae Bareli police in August 2021 for allegedly having staged a shootout against Munnawar Rana in June in order to frame his uncle and cousin in a property dispute.[31][32][33]

Rana died on 14 January 2024 at the age of 71 from throat cancer at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences.[34] He is buried in the Aishbagh Qabristan cemetery, and the namaz-e-janaza was held at Nadvatul Ulama Lucknow. Akhilesh Yadav and Javed Akhtar joined the Janaza.[35]

Akhtar said

> Today, there has been a big loss to Urdu, poetry and culture of India. This breed is slowly disappearing. First Rahat Saheb and now Munawwar. They cannot be compensated and I pray that their family and relatives get courage in this difficult time.[36]

Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, condoled the death of Rana and said

> Pained by the passing away of Shri Munawwar Rana Ji. He made rich contributions to Urdu literature and poetry. Condolences to his family and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.[37][38]

Nitish Kumar, chief minister of Bihar, condoled his death and said

> Late Munawwar Rana was a famous poet. Apart from Urdu, he used to write in Hindi and Awadhi languages. He was awarded the 2014 Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu literature. The demise of Munawwar Rana has caused an irreparable loss to the literary world, especially the Urdu literary. I prayed to God to give him an important place in heaven and give strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss.[39]

## Awards[edit]

* Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu Literature (2014).[40] He returned the award about one year later,[2] vowing to never again accept a government award due to rising intolerance in the country, leading to state-sponsored communalism.[41][42]
* In 2012 he was awarded Maati Ratan Samman by Shaheed Shodha Sansthan for his services to Urdu literature.[43]

## See also[edit]

* List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Urdu
* Ranjan Gogoi
* Tapan Kumar Pradhan
* Murder of Samuel Paty

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Munawwar Rana wins Sahitya Akademi award | Lucknow News – Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 20 December 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
2. ^ a b "Urdu Poet Munawwar Rana Returns Sahitya Akademi Award". NDTV.com. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
3. ^ "Eminent Urdu poet Munawwar Rana dead". The Times of India. 15 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
4. ^ "..:: SAHITYA : Akademi Awards ::." sahitya-akademi.gov.in. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
5. ^ "Biography of a Popular Indian Urdu Shayar : Munawwar Rana Saheb". Poetryone.com. 19 October 2015.
6. ^ "Dallas: Urdu-Hindi Mushaira to be organized on Oct 25". The News International. 19 October 2015.
7. ^ "Some sprinkles of honey-dipped verses". The Hindu. 30 July 2007. Archived from the original on 18 March 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
8. ^ Sadaket Ali Malik (15 January 2024). "How Manawwar Rana's Poetry Celebrates Maternal Love". Kashmir Life.
9. ^ Rishika Khana (16 January 2024). "Famous poet Manawwar Rana passes away". Asia Net News.
10. ^ "Author Profile :Vani Prakashan". vaniprakashan.in. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
11. ^ "Munawwar Rana Poetry On Sonia Gandhi" (in Hindi). 19 October 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
12. ^ "معروف بھارتی شاعر منور رانا دل کے دورے کے باعث چل بسے". 24 News Digital Urdu (in Urdu). 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
13. ^ "Kolkata Poetry Confluence : Translation Awards Announced". Kolkata Poetry Confluence. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
14. ^ a b c "Ram Mandir verdict: Munawwar Rana stokes controversy with objectionable comment on ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi". timesnownews.com. 18 August 2020. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
15. ^ a b Chauhan, Arvind (2 November 2020). "Uttar Pradesh: FIR against Urdu poet Munawwar Rana for 'supporting' France murder". Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
16. ^ France आतंकी हमले को लेकर शायर Munawwar Rana ने फिर दिया बड़ा बयान, retrieved 29 January 2022
17. ^ "Munawwar Rana stands in support of France attacker, says caricatures made to defame Hussain Bohra Islam". DNA India. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
18. ^ a b Rashid, Omar (2 November 2020). "Poet Munawwar Rana booked for remarks on France attacks". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
19. ^ "DNA: Munawwar Rana's words on Taliban more 'dangerous' than bullets?". DNA India. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
20. ^ "Taliban is not terrorist organisation, fighting for their country, says poet Munawwar Rana". The Economic Times. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
21. ^ "मुनव्वर राना बोले- तालिबान ने अपने मुल्क को आजाद करा लिया, दिक्कत क्या है". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
22. ^ a b "Another FIR registered against poet Munawwar Rana for comparing Taliban with Valmiki". Hindustan Times. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
23. ^ न्यूज, एबीपी (21 August 2021). "तालिबान की तुलना महर्षि वाल्मीकि से करना शायर मुनव्वर राणा को पड़ा भारी, FIR दर्ज". www.abplive.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
24. ^ "MP: FIR against poet Munawwar Rana for comparing Valmiki to Taliban". The Indian Express. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
25. ^ Scroll Staff (24 August 2021). "Poet Munawwar Rana named in FIR for allegedly comparing Valmiki to Taliban". Scroll.in. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
26. ^ "FIR lodged against poet Munawwar Rana for comparing Valmiki to Taliban". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 21 August 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
27. ^ Abhishek Mishra (7 September 2021). "Allahabad HC refuses to quash FIR against Urdu poet Munawwar Rana for comparing Taliban with Valmiki". India Today. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
28. ^ "Valmiki remark: Allahabad High Court refuses to stay arrest of poet Munawwar Rana". The New Indian Express. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
29. ^ Ravi Singh Sisodiya (4 September 2021). "HC: Poet Munawwar Rana should do what his work is | Lucknow News". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
30. ^ "Mushaira to make Oct 23 a 'day of humanity'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
31. ^ "Munawwar Rana's son booked for 'staged attack', he says cops 'acted like goons'". The Indian Express. 3 July 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
32. ^ Santosh Sharma (26 August 2021). "Poet Munawwar Rana's son arrested in UP for staging shootout against himself to frame relatives". India Today. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
33. ^ "Munawwar Rana's son faked attack on self in a bid to frame false case on his uncles: UP Police". ThePrint. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
34. ^ "Renowned poet Munawwar Rana passes away at age 71". Deccan Herald. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
35. ^ "जावेद अख्तर ने मुनव्वर राना के जनाजे को दिया कंधा, बोले, 'हिंदुस्तान की तहजीब का बड़ा नुकसान'". आज तक (in Hindi). 15 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
36. ^ "Munawwar Rana Death: जावेद अख्तर ने मुनव्वर राना के जनाजे को द‍िया कंधा, कहा 'हिंदुस्तान का नुकसान'". India.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 16 January 2024.
37. ^ Navabharat (15 January 2024). "Munawwar Rana Death | मुनव्वर राना के निधन पर PM मोदी ने जताया शोक, कहा 'उर्दू साहित्य और कविता में उनका रहा समृद्ध योगदान' | Navabharat (नवभारत)". Navabharat (in Hindi). Retrieved 16 January 2024.
38. ^ "Munawwar Rana Death: मुनव्वर राना के न‍िधन पर पीएम मोदी ने जताया दुख, कही ये बात". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 16 January 2024.
39. ^ "मशहूर शायर मुनव्वर राणा का निधन, मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार ने व्यक्त की गहरी शोक संवेदना". Punjabkesari. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
40. ^ "Watch Urdu poet Munawwar Rana return his Sahitya Akademi award on ABP News' LIVE debate #साहित्यकारVsसरकार". www.abplive.in. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
41. ^ "Trying to Say Goodbye author Adil Jussawalla wins Sahitya Akademi Award 2014". Hindustan Times. 19 December 2014. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
42. ^ "Urdu poet Munawwar Rana returns his Sahitya Akademi award". Timesofindia. 19 October 2015.
43. ^ "मुनव्वर राना सहित पांच को माटी रतन". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 23 August 2020.

## External links[edit]

* Official site
* Munawwar Rana's selected couplets
* Books by Munawwar Rana

Authority control databases

International|

* FAST
* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States