Overview
- Organisers said police warned that VHP and Bajrang Dal supporters could disrupt the January 10 session at Bharat Bhavan.
- Author Aabhas Maldahiyar blamed a Swadesh report alleging his book glorified Babur for triggering threats, including calls to burn the book.
- Maldahiyar said his work is critical of Babur and argued opponents had not read the English-language book.
- He accused Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi and Sahitya Akademi director Vikas Dave of denouncing the session without reviewing the text.
- At the venue, publicity for the talk was reportedly covered with white paper as organisers sought to keep the three-day festival on track.