Summary 'Kali Shalwar' was banned by the government under Section 292 of Indian Penal Code
LAHORE (Web Desk) – January 18, 2017 marks the 62nd death anniversary of Saadat Hasan Manto, according to many, the most controversial contributor to Urdu literature.
Manto in his short span of life wrote a novel, five series of plays for radio and three collections of essays among other works of fiction.
His contributions include letters to ‘Uncle Sam’, a character, Manto’s brainchild who he addressed as a representative of the United States (US). Born to Sardar Begum, second wife of his father, Khawaja Ghulam Hasan on May 11, 1912 in Ludhiana of British India, Manto remains a rebel for some, a progressive, a universalist, and a brilliant short story writer for others.
The celebrated writer was accused at least five times of obscenity in his writings but was never convicted.
‘Kali Shalwar’, a story based on a love affair between two prostitutes (a male and a female) was the first instance when he felt his first brush with the law.
The story was banned by the government under Section 292 of Indian Penal Code for alleged obscenity.
Manto’s pieces of writings remain more than an inspiration for writers across the world and his contribution to literature, by far, is one of the most cherished assets embedded in the Indo-Pak history.
