Unrest in Bangladesh leads to no participation in Agartala book fair for first time
Agartala(The Uttam Hindu): The 43rd Agartala Book Fair opened on Thursday with vibrant ceremonies but for the first time it did so without any participation from booksellers or publishers from Bangladesh due to ongoing unrest in the neighboring country. The fair held at the Hapania International Ground on the outskirts of Agartala will run for 13 days until January 14. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the event urging people to gift valuable books instead of flowers or other items during special occasions. The Agartala Book Fair which began in 1981 has traditionally featured participation from Bangladesh's booksellers and publishers but this year no representatives from Bangladesh were present. Officials explained that the current political instability in Bangladesh following the recent changes in government has led to the absence of Bangladeshi participants.
Debananda Dam a leading publisher confirmed that the situation in Bangladesh including the abrupt fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government has discouraged booksellers and publishers from attending the fair. As a result even Indian publishers and booksellers are refraining from displaying or selling books related to Bangladesh. While no books from Bangladesh are being sold the fair still boasts 159 stalls including 42 set up by publishers and booksellers from cities like Kolkata, Guwahati and Delhi as well as local publishing houses. The absence of Bangladeshi participation is part of a broader trend with protests in some West Bengal districts over the display of Bangladeshi books at local fairs. Additionally no Bangladeshi booksellers or publishers will take part in the upcoming 48th International Kolkata Book Fair which begins on January 28.This disruption reflects broader tensions and protests surrounding the treatment of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh which has also impacted events such as a trade fair in Silchar, Assam where a Bangladeshi trader had to shut down his stall in November due to similar protests.
