Hindutva extremists disrupted the Tirupati Book Festival on the evening of February 8, 2025, protesting against the book Quran Analysis by Hindu author Mr. Sharma. The book highlights similarities between Islamic and Hindu values, citing the Quran as a source.
Eyewitnesses reported that the extremists caused a commotion at the bookstall, tearing copies of the book and setting them on fire. Chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” they attempted to vandalize the Vishalandhra bookstall, which had exhibited the book. They also hurled false accusations, used abusive language, and created chaos.
Sakam Nagaraju, a visitor at the book fair, recounted: “Hearing loud noises, I rushed to the stall. A group of Hindutva supporters were tearing and burning a book written by Sharma. They were shouting slogans while attempting to set the book on fire.”
The mob further targeted the Vishalandhra bookstall, aggressively questioning, “Why are you selling books like Ramayana Visha Vriksham by Ranganayakamma?” They also objected to books by Tamil reformer Periyar, falsely claiming that his writings promote immoral ideas.
Vaka Prasad, convener of the Tirupati Book Lovers United Forum, condemned the attack, emphasizing that books represent freedom of thought and knowledge beyond regional or religious boundaries. He asserted that no group has the right to dictate what others should read and demanded the immediate arrest of the attackers.
This incident echoes a similar attack at the Hyderabad Book Fair on December 29, 2024, where Hindutva extremists targeted a Veekshanam bookstall.
This story was originally published in muslimmirror.com.
