Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Bhopal Lit Fest Cancels Session on Babur's Book
There was a big argument about a book called 'Babur: The Quest for Hindustan' by Aabhas Maldahiyar.
The book talks about a historical figure named Babur, who was an invader.
A university leader named Shri Vinay Manohar Tiwari didn't want the book to be discussed at a literature festival in Bhopal because he thought it was not positive.
He said India should focus on its own great stories instead.
The author, Aabhas Maldahiyar, disagreed.
He said it's important to remember all of history, even the bad parts, to understand and honor the sacrifices made.
The session was canceled because of threats, and the author is upset because he thinks the university leader is being dishonest and not true to India's history.
The author also said the Prime Minister has talked about the bad things invaders did, so it's okay to discuss them.
Author Aabhas Maldahiyar's session on his book 'Babur: The Quest for Hindustan' was canceled at the Bhopal Literature Festival.
Vice-Chancellor Shri Vinay Manohar Tiwari condemned the session, advocating for a focus on positive and harmonious topics instead of discussing invaders.
Maldahiyar argued that remembering and discussing historical invasions is crucial for understanding and honoring India's past.
The cancellation was due to security threats and protests, which Maldahiyar sees as intellectual dishonesty and intimidation.
Maldahiyar criticized the Vice-Chancellor for misrepresenting the Prime Minister's stance on historical discussions and for promoting a sanitized version of history.
- Who
- Author Aabhas Maldahiyar and Vice-Chancellor Shri Vinay Manohar Tiwari
- What
- Cancellation of a session on the book 'Babur: The Quest for Hindustan' at the Bhopal Literature Festival
- When
- Recent, with the Vice-Chancellor's public letter and Op-Ed
- Where
- Bhopal, India, at the Bhopal Literature Festival (BLF) and Bharat Bhavan
- Why
- Due to concerns over discussing an invader like Babur, deemed inappropriate by the Vice-Chancellor, and subsequent security threats
- Author
- Aabhas Maldahiyar
- Book Title
- Babur: The Quest for Hindustan
- Vice-Chancellor
- Shri Vinay Manohar Tiwari
- University
- Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication (MCNUJC)
- Event
- Bhopal Literature Festival (BLF)
- Controversy
- Cancellation of session on Babur's book
- Historical Focus
- Islamic invasions and their impact
- Prime Minister's Stance
- Acknowledged historical trauma of invasions