Jamia Millia Islamia Hosts National Seminar on Munshi Premchand

New Delhi, May 5, 2026: Jamia’s Premchand Archives and Literary Centre at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) organized a day-long national seminar in collaboration with the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), Government of India. Titled “Premchand Ka Adab: Naye Tanazur Mein” (Premchand’s Literature: In a New Perspective), the event took place on April 29, 2026, in the Committee Room of Nehru Guest House, JMI.

The programme began with a welcome address by Dr. Shams Equbal, Director of NCPUL, New Delhi. He greeted scholars, participants, and guests, highlighting Munshi Premchand’s contributions to fiction and the need to read his works in a new perspective.

Prof. Mohd Ali Jauhar, former Chairman of the Department of Urdu at AMU, Aligarh, presided over the inaugural session. He congratulated the organizers on choosing such an important topic and stressed the need to understand Premchand and his writings from a modern viewpoint.

Prof. Shahzad Anjum, Director of the Archives, thanked JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif and Registrar Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi for supporting academic activities at the university. He noted that the Archives play a key role in elevating debates among scholars, students, and faculty, enriching the campus environment. Prof. Anjum described Premchand as a shining figure in Urdu literature whose contributions are seminal and extraordinary. “It is important to view Premchand in a new perspective today,” he added.

Prof. Anwar Pasha, former Chairman of the Centre for Indian Languages at JNU, New Delhi, delivered the keynote address. He underscored Premchand’s relevance today, stating: “Premchand is a scholar studied equally in Hindi and Urdu. We cannot discuss fiction without mentioning his works. Premchand strove to transform society through his viewpoint, and his art exemplifies human sensitivity and emotions.”

Prof. Jitendra Srivastava, Professor at IGNOU, also spoke, delivering a thought-provoking address on Premchand’s relevance. He emphasized studying Premchand in the context of his era and his approach to social issues.