Kashmiri publishers refuse to participate in book-fair organised by Punjabi University

PATIALA: Amidst the on-going tension and sense of fear prevailing in the Kashmiris following Pulwama attack, the Kashmiri publishers had refused to participate in the book-fair organised at Punjabi University Patiala.
After a successive attempt last year in organising the book fair and selling out the books having worth over Rs 1 crore, the university had organised its second such annual book fair in the university campus.
Last year the Kashmiris publishers had participated and this year too some of them were having plans to get a space in the university to sell their books.
“Last year some Kashmiri publishers had participated and installed two stalls to sell out their books however this year they did not reach following a sense of fear in their mind as in some parts of the country the feeling of hatred against the Kashmiris was rising, though it was not seen in Punjab. The Kashmiris feel safe in Punjab as the state government also assured them protection while the Sikhs had shown a kind gesture. Some of the Kashmiri publishers were willing to come but after Pulwama attack on soldiers the equations changed and they dropped the plan," said Professor Sarbjinder Singh, Publication Bureau head and HOD Guru Granth Sahib studies department.
Notably, there are more than 25 Kashmiri students in the university and most of them had not gone back to Kashmir. The students are however, participating in the book-fair to purchase the books of their taste.
President Secular Youth Federation of India, a student union in Punjabi University, Harveerjot Singh, said, "It is disgraceful for both the governments at centre and state level that Kashmiris have been living in a sense of fear in a number of states. Though, there has been no fear in minds of Kashmiri students in our university as we will definitely come to their support whenever they are in need. However, we felt disgraced that Kashmiri publishers did not participate in this book-fair as it would have been a help for students to learn about the literature and views of Kashmiris."