Tirupati – Hindutva extremists disrupted the Tirupati Book Festival on February 8, 2025, protesting against the book Quran Analysis by Hindu author Mr. Sharma. The book, which highlights similarities between Islamic and Hindu values, was targeted by the mob, who tore copies and set them on fire.
Eyewitnesses reported that the extremists created chaos at the Vishalandhra bookstall, chanting “Jai Shri Ram” while attempting to vandalize the stall. They also hurled false accusations, used abusive language, and objected to the sale of books like Ramayana Visha Vriksham by Ranganayakamma and works by Tamil reformer Periyar, falsely claiming they promote immoral ideas.
Sakam Nagaraju, a visitor, described the scene: “I heard loud noises and saw a group of Hindutva supporters tearing and burning Sharma’s book. They were shouting slogans and attempting to destroy the stall.”
Vaka Prasad, convener of the Tirupati Book Lovers United Forum, condemned the attack, emphasizing that books symbolize freedom of thought and knowledge. He asserted that no group has the right to dictate what others should read and demanded immediate action against the attackers.
This incident mirrors a similar attack at the Hyderabad Book Fair on December 29, 2024, where Hindutva extremists targeted a Veekshanam bookstall.
