{"id":35008,"date":"2026-08-28T18:09:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T12:39:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/ahmedabad-reading-session-attacked-by-bajrang-dal\/"},"modified":"2026-08-28T18:09:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T12:39:03","slug":"ahmedabad-reading-session-attacked-by-bajrang-dal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petrolnews.in\/live\/ahmedabad-reading-session-attacked-by-bajrang-dal\/","title":{"rendered":"Ahmedabad Reading Session Attacked by Bajrang Dal"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ahmedabad<\/span>6 hours ago<\/span>Author: Aziz Cutleriwala<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A dispute that began after Anand Niketan School, Shilaj, faced action over a food safety issue and subsequently the reading of Malala Yousafzai\u2019s I Am Malala and The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, escalated into violence in Ahmedabad on 27 August.<\/p>\n

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A group gathered at Vastrapur\u2019s AUDA garden to conduct a reading session of various materials including Malala\u2019s and Anne Frank\u2019s, claimed that their peaceful silent reading session was attacked by a mob claiming affiliation with the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).<\/p>\n

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Violent confrontation between participants and the right wing outfit members<\/span><\/p>\n

A collective said around 50 students, lawyers, media professionals and others had gathered around 4 pm to read the books. At around 6.30 pm, 30-40 men wearing saffron scarves allegedly entered the park carrying wooden and iron sticks, bats and other objects. The group led by Hiren Rabari, questioned the participants over reading Malala\u2019s book before violence broke out.<\/p>\n

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Participants allegedly assaulted<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

According to the statement and complaint filed at Vastrapur Police Station, participants Jay, Sneh, Savan and Shashi were assaulted with sticks, bats, punches and kicks. Women present there were allegedly pulled by hair, and slapped. A girl named Aadhya, who was recording the incident, claimed that she was threatened with being \u201cmade to disappear\u201d if she did not stop filming.<\/p>\n

\"Participants<\/picture><\/div>\n

Participants who suffered injuries<\/span><\/p>\n

The complaint states that police arrived after participants called the control room and took them to Vastrapur Police Station. Some injured participants subsequently received outpatient treatment at Sola Civil Hospital. The complaint names Hiren Rabari and states that participants later learned that Jimit Rabari was also among the group. Several accused have since secured bail in connection with the case.<\/p>\n

\"Books<\/picture><\/div>\n

Books displayed out which were read in the evening<\/span><\/p>\n

Political support to those attacked<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

AAP\u2019s Dr Karan Barot condemned the incident, alleging that Bajrang Dal and VHP members compromised the safety of peaceful participants. He said the party\u2019s team provided legal support at the police station and sought strict action.<\/p>\n

The Bajrang Dal, however, claimed on social media that it stopped a gathering to read what it called \u201canti-national\u201d literature by Malala and said it would not allow \u201canti-India forces\u201d to be propagated.<\/p>\n