The vibrant world of Indian literature faces a severe crisis as book piracy continues to undermine the country's cultural and intellectual foundation, according to experts speaking at the Koshala Literary Festival in Lucknow.
The Hidden Epidemic in India's Reading Culture
During a compelling session titled "Stolen Words: The Hidden Cost of India's Reading Culture," prominent figures from publishing and economics exposed the alarming scale of book piracy affecting the nation. The panel featured publisher Arun Maheshwari, fellow publisher Chander Prakash, and economist Jayant Krishna, who collectively painted a grim picture of the industry's challenges.
Arun Maheshwari provided a striking comparison that highlighted the industry's potential versus its current reality. He revealed that while the Delhi Book Fair generates approximately Rs 10 crore in revenue over just 10 days, widespread piracy continues to drain the publishing sector's true earning capacity.
Staggering Numbers Behind the Piracy Crisis
The economic impact of book piracy reached shocking proportions according to Jayant Krishna's assessment. The economist estimated that despite India having an Rs 80,000-crore publishing market, an alarming 30-40% of books currently in circulation are pirated copies.
This massive percentage represents not just lost revenue for publishers and authors, but also threatens the very ecosystem that supports literary creation in India. The panelists emphasized that piracy doesn't merely affect profits—it jeopardizes the future of Indian literature and discourages new talent from entering the field.
Call for National Action Against Piracy
Confronted by these overwhelming statistics and their cultural implications, the expert panel issued a unified demand for government intervention. They strongly advocated for the establishment of a National Anti-Piracy Task Force to combat this growing menace systematically.
Such a specialized task force would coordinate efforts across states, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and raise public awareness about the damaging consequences of book piracy. The speakers stressed that without coordinated national action, India's rich literary tradition and the economic viability of its publishing industry remain at serious risk.
The revelations at the Koshala Literary Festival serve as a wake-up call for all stakeholders in India's literary ecosystem—from readers and authors to policymakers and law enforcement agencies.
