IMPACT OF ANTI-CAA PROTESTS
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The outside publishers have skipped the book fair being held as part of the 75th session of the Axam Xahitya Xabha (AXX) due to the ongoing anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) agitation in the State.
The 75th session of the AXX is underway at Sualkuchi in Kamrup district.
An office-bearer of the AXX said that even though the Xabha has invited a good number of publishers from outside, including those from West Bengal and Odisha to participate in the book fair, the latter have shown reluctance to come to the State due to the ongoing anti-CAA stir. Quoting a few such publishers the office-bearer said the possibility of good sale of books is remote in the ongoing AXX session. He said around 100 publishers, including 75 from Guwahati, are participating in the book fair.
"Even though it would have been good in case the outside publishers participated in the book fair at Sualkuchi, the AXX is determined to make the fair a success. A large number of books in Assamese, Bengali and other Indian languages will be available in the fair. Books on English literature will also be available. We appeal to every visitor to the AXX session at Sualkuchi to visit the book fair," the office-bearer said. More than 300 books will be released during the AXX session.