The Crossbill News Desk
The 12th edition of Kitaab Kautik, a prominent book fair organized by Creative Uttarakhand, has been cancelled following objections raised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna (HNB) Garhwal University.
Originally planned for January at Government Girls’ Intercollege in Srinagar, Pauri, the event was postponed after opposition from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), according to event organizer Hem Pant.
Seeking an alternative venue, the organizers secured approval from the university’s dean to host the fair and a panel discussion at the Senate Hall. However, the administration later withdrew permission following objections from the ABVP, The Indian Express reported.
Allegations of Ideological Bias and Threats
Pant alleged that opposition to the fair was politically motivated.
“The groups told us they would burn the books if we held the event. They alleged that we had communist literature. It is a book fair with over 70,000 books on different subjects. We also planned to bring Narendra Singh Negi, a folk artist who speaks about social issues. This has also not gone down well with the RSS,” the newspaper quoted Pant as saying.
He also claimed that folk artist Narendra Singh Negi, known for addressing social issues, was invited to the event, which further triggered resistance from certain groups.
The organizers then sought permission to hold the event at the town’s Ramleela Maidan and received written approval.
However, Pant claimed that the RSS scheduled a separate programme at the same venue on the same day, effectively preventing the book fair from taking place. Facing repeated obstacles, the organizers ultimately decided to call off the event.
University Cites Student Concerns, Exam Schedule
The university administration defended its decision, stating that student representatives had raised concerns about the nature of the books.
“They (ABVP) expressed discontent at the book fair and the programme on the premises. They were concerned that the books would hurt the religious sentiments of people, so we had to reconsider,” the dean of HNB Garhwal University told The Indian Express.
ABVP student union president Jaswant Singh Rana, an MA English student, claimed that ongoing university exams were also a factor in the decision.
“We also had an event planned, but we didn’t want the exams to be disrupted. We held a discussion with the management, which is why the university revoked the permission for the book fair,” he said.
Despite the event’s cancellation, Kitaab Kautik has gained recognition in Uttarakhand, with its previous editions receiving support from senior officials, including Chief Secretary Radha Raturi.
However, this year’s developments have raised concerns about academic freedom and ideological influence on cultural events in educational institutions.
Originally planned for January at Government Girls’ Intercollege in Srinagar, Pauri, the event was postponed after opposition from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), according to event organizer Hem Pant.
Seeking an alternative venue, the organizers secured approval from the university’s dean to host the fair and a panel discussion at the Senate Hall. However, the administration later withdrew permission following objections from the ABVP, The Indian Express reported.
Allegations of Ideological Bias and Threats
Pant alleged that opposition to the fair was politically motivated.
“The groups told us they would burn the books if we held the event. They alleged that we had communist literature. It is a book fair with over 70,000 books on different subjects. We also planned to bring Narendra Singh Negi, a folk artist who speaks about social issues. This has also not gone down well with the RSS,” the newspaper quoted Pant as saying.
He also claimed that folk artist Narendra Singh Negi, known for addressing social issues, was invited to the event, which further triggered resistance from certain groups.
The organizers then sought permission to hold the event at the town’s Ramleela Maidan and received written approval.
However, Pant claimed that the RSS scheduled a separate programme at the same venue on the same day, effectively preventing the book fair from taking place. Facing repeated obstacles, the organizers ultimately decided to call off the event.
University Cites Student Concerns, Exam Schedule
The university administration defended its decision, stating that student representatives had raised concerns about the nature of the books.
“They (ABVP) expressed discontent at the book fair and the programme on the premises. They were concerned that the books would hurt the religious sentiments of people, so we had to reconsider,” the dean of HNB Garhwal University told The Indian Express.
ABVP student union president Jaswant Singh Rana, an MA English student, claimed that ongoing university exams were also a factor in the decision.
“We also had an event planned, but we didn’t want the exams to be disrupted. We held a discussion with the management, which is why the university revoked the permission for the book fair,” he said.
Despite the event’s cancellation, Kitaab Kautik has gained recognition in Uttarakhand, with its previous editions receiving support from senior officials, including Chief Secretary Radha Raturi.
However, this year’s developments have raised concerns about academic freedom and ideological influence on cultural events in educational institutions.
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