Delhi's rendezvous with Pak writer cut short
Mohammed Hanif, the best-selling author of, The Case of Exploding Mangoes, was supposed to be the highlight of Delhi chapter of the Kovalam literature festival. But alas, Indo-Pak tensions again played spoilsport.
Mohammed Hanif, the best-selling author of, The Case of Exploding Mangoes, was supposed to be the highlight of Delhi chapter of the Kovalam literature festival. But alas, Indo-Pak tensions again played spoilsport.
Reportedly, the celebrated Pakistani author was not issued a visa in time to attend the literature festival. Confirming the news, the author himself posted on his Twitter page, "After waiting for my Indian Visa for four weeks, have been told that my 'file' is lost somewhere in home ministry." He was invited for two-day Kovalam Literature Festival in Kerala. Which is scheduled to be held on October 1 and 2.
The festival, had its Delhi leg in the city yesterday at IIC, but the author was conspicuous by is presence. As the initial disappointment faded, people were overheard criticizing the Indo-Pak red-tapism, which has infiltrated even the most noble of causes.
Hanif too echoed the same sentiment, "Invite came via Indian Foreign Min, they booked my flight but dear babus can't give me a visa. Two-nation theory? Morons rule both sides", he tweeted.
Though later, the author was given the visa clearance, and he made his way directly to Thiruvananthapuram for the Kovalam Lit Fest.