Ahmedabad international book festival 2024 faces backlash over controversial invites: Details

The Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2024 (AIBF), a collaborative initiative by the National Book Trust (NBT) and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), has drawn widespread criticism on social media over its guest list. The festival, inaugurated on November 30 by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is currently being held at the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre. Despite its ambitious agenda to promote literature and culture, public outrage has overshadowed the event due to the inclusion of controversial figures like historian William Dalrymple.

Social Media Outcry Over Dalrymple’s Invitation

William Dalrymple, a historian known for his admiration of the Mughal Empire and frequent criticisms of Hinduism, is scheduled to speak at the event on December 7. Social media users have been vocal in condemning his invitation, questioning why a government-funded festival would extend an invite to a figure accused of fostering anti-Hindu narratives.

A user named Harshil was among the first to raise concerns, posting, “A known Mughal apologist and Hindutva hater is invited to #AIBF2024. Has the government forgotten its role in calling off the Delhi Riots book? Or his appeal to Britain not to return looted items? Why is Dharmendra Pradhan’s ministry snubbing PM Modi?”

“I went there and was saddened to see the poster of White Supremacist William Dalrymple yesterday. He pushed Bloomsbury to call off the book on Delhi Riots 2020. He doesn’t think Hindu women’s lived experiences should be described and his associates described those experiences as ‘state propaganda’. If he de-platforms others then de-platforming him becomes my Dharma and I am doing my duty here,” says Harshil Mehta.

Prominent writer and speaker Shefali Vaidya amplified these sentiments, expressing frustration: “Every two months, some BJP state govt or institution under the Ministry of Culture or Education invites absolute Hindu-hating scum like Gargantuan Willy to taxpayer-funded functions. What is this desperate desire to patronise the very people who despise you?”

I am SO tired of fighting this. Every two months, some @BJP4India state govt or some institution under @MinOfCultureGoI or @EduMinOfIndia invite absolute Hindu-hating scum like Gargantuan Willy to taxpayer funded function. What’s the desperate desire to patronise the very people… https://t.co/eeWKrNlJLv

— Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) December 1, 2024 

Other users echoed these concerns, pointing out the repeated invitations extended to figures known for their anti-Hindu or anti-BJP stances. Anmol Jain, a social media commentator, highlighted other invitees such as Savie Karnel and Kiran Manral, describing them as individuals frequently propagating anti-Hindu rhetoric.

The Dalrymple Controversy

William Dalrymple has been a polarising figure in Indian literary circles. His works often glorify the Mughal era, and he has voiced opposition to policies such as the abrogation of Article 370 and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Dalrymple was also involved in halting the publication of Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story by lawyer Monika Arora, reportedly influencing Bloomsbury to withdraw its backing for the book.

Dalrymple has also faced allegations of inappropriate conduct during the #MeToo movement in 2018, further adding to his controversial profile.

Concerns Over Other Invitees

Critics also took issue with the inclusion of authors like Savie Karnel and Kiran Manral.

Savie Karnel:  Author of The Nameless God, a children’s book that explores the aftermath of riots post-Ayodhya demolition, Karnel has been accused of promoting a “secular” narrative critical of Hindu groups. The book has faced backlash for its perceived ideological leanings, with critics arguing that it attempts to shape young minds with a biased perspective.

Kiran Manral: Known for her vocal criticism of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP, Manral’s invitation has been questioned given her history of amplifying narratives critical of the government. Her social media activity includes posts opposing the CAA and NRC and sharing articles alleging that India has become unsafe for Muslims under the current administration.

A Festival in Turmoil

The Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2024 features participation from 147 publishers, distributors, and booksellers, alongside a children’s film festival and over 100 literary sessions. It has drawn authors from across India and abroad, including Spain, Sri Lanka, Poland, and Scotland. However, the controversy surrounding the guest list has cast a shadow over the event’s proceedings.

While the festival aims to celebrate literature and foster dialogue, the public backlash has raised questions about the decision-making processes of the NBT and AMC. Critics argue that the inclusion of polarising figures undermines the festival’s objectives and alienates sections of the audience.

Sources suggest that while AMC used to organise Ahmedabad Book Fetsival as local fest every year, this year National Books Trust under the Union Education Ministry was roped in to make it an ‘international’ festival. It was NBT which was given the charge to curate speakers for the event.

In fact the header picture of NBT’s X account featured the lineup of speakers which following the outrage was changed.

Recurring Controversies

On November 25, 2024, Sahitya Akademi, an autonomous institution under the Union Ministry of Culture, invited Devdutt Pattanaik to deliver the inaugural address at a seminar titled Indian Mythology: Memory, Retellings and Translations. The event drew significant criticism on social media due to Pattanaik’s reputation for controversial interpretations of Hindu scriptures and mythology, which many believe distort traditional narratives.

This is not the first time Pattanaik’s involvement in government-sponsored events has caused an uproar. In 2022, he was invited to participate in a session at the National Youth Festival held in Puducherry. Following widespread criticism from netizens, the broadcast of his session was abruptly cancelled, with authorities citing “unforeseen technical issues” as the reason.

The same year, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa faced a major backlash when Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, known for his controversial remarks and perceived support for Islamic extremism, was appointed as the jury head.

During the festival’s closing ceremony, Lapid sparked outrage by referring to The Kashmir Files, a film based on the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus, as “vulgar” and “propaganda.” His comments were made in the presence of then Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, and drew sharp criticism from the public and political leaders alike. Many questioned how such an appointment was made for a festival organised jointly by the National Film Development Corporation of India (under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) and the Goa state government.

These incidents have reignited debates over the decision-making processes behind inviting individuals to high-profile, taxpayer-funded events. Critics argue that figures who have previously made statements or produced work contrary to mainstream Indian cultural or political sentiments should not be given such platforms.

Call for Accountability

The uproar has prompted demands for a review of the guest selection criteria for government-sponsored events. Many believe that public funds should not be used to platform individuals whose views contradict the sentiments of the majority or government priorities.

As the festival continues, it remains to be seen whether the organisers will address these concerns or if this controversy will further polarise the literary and cultural community in India.