A group of 30 people attacked a stall belonging to a Christian non-profit organisation, named Gideons International. A newslaundry report confirmed that a group of 30 people attacked the New Delhi World Book Fair in Pragati Maidan.
The report also stated that some of the men in the group who attacked the fair had donned saffron scarves and entered the fair at around 2:15 pm.
More About The Stall
The stall which was attacked by the group of men was giving away free copies of religious books. The poster on the stall read “Free Holy Bible”. According to the eyewitnesses, the group grabbed some copies of the Christian religious texts and tore the posters.
The stall owned by Gideons International was one of the several other stalls at the book fair. The Delhi Book Fair had several other stalls which were owned by Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs. Although not all, many others also distribute free copies of religious books.
This is from #PragatiMaidan, #Delhi.
At the World Book Fair, #Hindutva group members chanting #JaiShriRam slogans vandalized a #Christian stall.
The extremists tore posters, chanted #HanumanChalisa, and shouted #BharatMataKiJai.#HateCrime pic.twitter.com/9VheZ6MUnO
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) March 2, 2023
A few people who attacked the stall are heard giving slogans against the stall against religious conversions. An individual in the group, who was leading the protest is heard giving anti-conversion slogans, and asking questions to those on the stall. “Why are you distributing this for free?… We are Hindus, why should we read this?” asked the individual. The man was also heard saying that Hindus never invite people to join their religion.
In today's edition of Hindutva unplugged: Men chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ vandalise Christian stall at Delhi Book Fair https://t.co/koFhPvskKm
— Samar Halarnkar (@samar11) March 2, 2023
Although very loud, the group speaking against the Christian stall was not unanimous. Several people, who did not belong to the Christian stall stated that there were other stalls where other religion’s texts were being given away,
“(The men) sat down on this stretch and went on sloganeering for 25 minutes…We pray for such people and bless them… We’ve been having a stall here for more than 10 years. We have never faced this before. This is the first time.” said one of the individuals at the stall.
Location: Pragati Maidan, Delhi
At the World Book Fair, Hindu far-right members chanting Jai Shri Ram slogans vandalized a Christian stall.
The extremists tore posters, chanted Hanuman Chalisa, and shouted Bharat Mata ki Jai. pic.twitter.com/2zQ1hAdhZP
— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 2, 2023
