From Modi Advocate to Babur Author: A Writer's Controversial Path
Author Aabhas Maldahiyar began his writing career with a book supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He now finds himself at the center of a literary storm over his work on Mughal Emperor Babur. The Bhopal Literature and Art Festival recently cancelled a session featuring Maldahiyar due to protests and police warnings.
A Political Beginning
Maldahiyar revealed his unexpected entry into writing. "I had not voted for Modiji in 2014," he admitted during a phone interview from his Bengaluru home. "But in 2019, I saw a social media post listing reasons not to vote for Modi. I told a friend I could write two hundred reasons to vote for him."
That response went viral and became his first book. #Modi Again: Why Modi is Right for India established Maldahiyar as a political commentator. The thirty-seven-year-old architect turned author never anticipated his historical works would generate such controversy.
The Bhopal Controversy
Maldahiyar planned to discuss his latest book, Babur: The Quest for Hindustan, at the Bhopal festival. He arrived in the city on January 9, one day before his scheduled session. The author attempted to address concerns directly.
"I dialled the numbers I could," Maldahiyar explained. "I offered to address their concerns and issued a press note. I stated clearly that nothing in my book aims to inflame or show Babur in anything but true light. Unfortunately, it just didn't work out."
Festival co-founder Abhilash Khandekar confirmed the cancellation resulted from police warnings. "Police said right-wing groups would ransack the event," Khandekar told The Indian Express. "We wanted to save our festival. Most people objecting haven't even read Maldahiyar's book."
Historical Pursuits and Public Reaction
Maldahiyar expressed disappointment in an open letter to Prime Minister Modi. He wrote that the cancellation occurred after newspaper Swadesh published false reports alleging he intended to glorify Babur. The author emphasized his session aimed to discuss the "Bhopal Wasiyatnama," a nineteenth-century document falsely presented as Babur's will.
"What pains me," Maldahiyar wrote, "is that those who claim to oppose Babur do not recognize scholars equipping them with intellectual tools for that debate."
Supreme Court advocate J Sai Deepak publicly supported Maldahiyar. Deepak tweeted that accusing the author of glorifying Babur "couldn't get any worse." He urged people to stand by hardworking scholars serving the cause of Dharma.
A Personal Historical Journey
Maldahiyar's interest in history developed recently, despite his father teaching the subject at university level. "I used to hate history in school," he confessed. "A lot has to do with how it's taught."
The author described an epiphany during a 2012 visit to Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra. "The paintings and rock-cut architecture were revelations," he recalled. "The sadhus and monks I used to disparage created them. I wanted to read religious scriptures and know more."
He began with Buddhist texts before exploring the Upanishads. This exploration changed his understanding of India. "For the first time in my life, I was drawn to history," Maldahiyar stated.
Future Projects and Historical Balance
Maldahiyar has already started working on his next book, a profile of Humayun, Babur's son and the second Mughal Emperor. He repeatedly emphasized his approach. "I don't want to glorify the Mughals," the author insisted. "Only show them in the right light."
The author sees his Babur books as examining whether the Mughal dynasty enriched or ravaged India. These works represent five years of dedicated research. Maldahiyar maintains they present historical figures accurately without glorification.
His journey from Modi commentator to Mughal historian continues to spark important conversations about historical interpretation and free expression in contemporary India.
