VHP members clash with readers protesting book bans in Ahmedabad

In Ahmedabad’s Vastrapur area, roughly 70 individuals assembled near the district education office to hold a silent reading protest after a local school dropped the books "I Am Malala" and "The Diary of a Young Girl" following pressure from parents and right-wing activists. Participants also read titles such as "Why I Am An Atheist" and "1984". At approximately 6.30 pm, a contingent of eight to ten members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad entered the garden, confronting the readers and causing injuries to several participants.

Attendees, including students and activists, voiced concerns about censorship and the right to choose reading material. Inspector G M Chaudhary of Vastrapur police said investigators are identifying the alleged aggressors and reviewing medical documentation before registering an FIR. Representatives of the Bajrang Dal later justified the disruption, claiming the books promote anti-India sentiments.