Gopal Das Neeraj was a secular poet: Rahat Indori

Renowned Urdu poet Rahat Indori today described Gopal Das Neeraj as a "secular poet".

Neeraj, doyen of Hindi poetry, passed away this evening in Delhi at the age of 93.

"The biggest thing about Neeraj is he was equally popular on both Hindi and Urdu platforms, and commanded the same amount of respect and love in both (literary worlds)," Rahat Indori told PTI here.

"Neeraj was not only a secular Indian, but also a secular poet. The problem we face these days is Hindi poets turn 'Hindu' at Hindi Kavi Sammelan (poetry gatherings) and Urdu poets turn 'Muslim' at Urdu programmes. But Neeraj was not at all like this. He always spread and shared love with everyone," the noted Urdu poet said.

"Neeraj symbolised an era of poetry. People have listened to him for more than half a century and understood his philosophy of life," Indori said.

The void caused by Neeraj's death will never be filled, he said.