The fierce political battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) played out at the Kolkata Literature Festival, with the organisers suddenly cancelling the participation of author Tuhin A Sinha.
Author of the book ‘Great Tribal Warriors of Bharat’, Sinha took to Twitter to inform us about the cancellation of his scheduled participation for February 10.
Sinha, who writes mostly political thrillers, romance novels and non-fiction, blamed the ruling TMC for the cancellation of his participation in the Kolkata Literature Festival.
My presence at @kolkataboimela on 10Feb has been suddenly cancelled under pressure from @AITCofficial govt. This,after the organisers had posted about the event y’day on social media platforms. This gross intolerance n Taliban mindset 2wards a political adversary is shameful. pic.twitter.com/zIoE14FRWi
— Tuhin A. Sinha तुहिन सिन्हा (@tuhins) February 7, 2023
“My presence at @kolkataboimela on 10 Feb has been suddenly cancelled under pressure from @AITCofficial govt. This was after the organisers had posted about the event yesterday on social media platforms. This gross intolerance n Taliban mindset towards a political adversary is shameful,” Sinha tweeted.
Talking to The New Indian, Sinha, who is also the national spokesperson of the BJP, said, “My present book has nothing to do with politics as for a couple of years I have been working on tribal revolutionary narratives. There is a fundamental illiteracy of thought in the present establishment, which is ruling. But when it comes to a literature festival, one expects things to be more accommodating and accepting of different viewpoints. Why does TMC have a problem with a literary event?”
“Kolkata Book Fair is not TMC’s fiefdom. Cancelling me has exposed their political intolerance,” Sinha added.
Earlier, TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale had served Sinha with a notice warning him of legal action for his comments during a TV debate. Sinha, on the other hand, had filed a police complaint against him under IPC Section 211.
Sinha said he was looking forward to the event at the Kolkata Literature Festival as an excellent opportunity to promote his work, which he believes should be read by every citizen.
The organisers have yet to respond after The New Indian tried contacting them.