Bhopal Literature Festival Cancels Babur Book Session Following Police Warning
The Bhopal Literature and Art Festival made a sudden decision to cancel a scheduled discussion about a new book on Mughal emperor Babur. Organisers took this step after local police warned them about potential protests at the event.
Author Expresses Frustration Over Lack of Explanation
Author Aabhas Maldahiyar, who wrote 'Babur: The Quest for Hindustan', revealed he received minimal explanation from festival organisers. They simply cited administrative pressure as the reason for cancelling his January 10 session at Bharat Bhavan.
"My scheduled session at the Bhopal Literature Fest 2026 was cancelled after false reports appeared in the Swadesh newspaper," Maldahiyar stated. "These misleading articles claimed I intended to glorify Babur, which triggered threats from certain Hindu organisations."
The author described receiving threats that included calls to burn his book and vandalise bookstores that might stock it.
Culture Minister Criticized for Premature Condemnation
Maldahiyar expressed particular concern about Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi's public statements. "What disturbed me most was that the Culture Minister publicly condemned my session without reading even a single page of the book," the author said.
He emphasized that this situation raises serious questions about the intellectual integrity of the Madhya Pradesh Culture Ministry. "Literary works are being judged without being read," Maldahiyar noted with disappointment.
Festival Organisers Cite Security Concerns
Festival co-founder Abhilash Khandekar explained the difficult decision to cancel the session. "Police informed us that right-wing groups planned to disrupt the event based on a newspaper report," Khandekar told The Indian Express.
He added that organisers feared the controversy could overshadow the entire three-day festival. "We wanted to protect both the festival and the author," Khandekar said. "Most people objecting haven't actually read the book."
At the festival venue, posters announcing the Babur book discussion were reportedly covered with white paper. Organisers described the cancellation as a reluctant but necessary measure to ensure safety.
Additional Criticism of Literary Authorities
Maldahiyar also criticized Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Akademi director Vikas Dave for dismissing his book. According to the author, Dave formed his opinion based solely on rumors rather than reading the actual work.
The author maintains that his book actually exposes Babur rather than glorifying him. "Anyone could have challenged my interpretation during the discussion," Maldahiyar pointed out. "That opportunity was taken away by this cancellation."
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between artistic expression and political sensitivities in contemporary India. Literary festivals increasingly face pressure when programming potentially controversial topics.
The cancellation raises important questions about how cultural institutions should balance security concerns with intellectual freedom. Many observers worry that such incidents might create a chilling effect on literary discussions about historical figures.
