If you go into the spirituality section at the Delhi World Book Fair, you can now find books penned by self-styled Godman and rape-accused Swami Nithyananda’s words of wisdom.
The stall Nithyananda Galleria is dedicated to works by the ‘Godman’ besides CDs and DVDs, spiritual products and magazines. A volunteer at the stall said that Nithyananda has authored over 200 books in over 28 languages including English, Hindi, Spanish, German, French and Chinese.
Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse is another author whose writings can be found among the plethora of titles at the stalls. At a stall put by the Arya Samaj, besides several books on spirituality are strangely some titles on Godse and one on ‘ghar wapsi’.
An Arya Samaj official, when asked about the Godse books, merely said the stall has titles on spirituality besides some by revolutionary people.
But on the bright side, many stalls are offering copies of the Quran and the Gita at prices as low as Rs 10. Others are distributing free leaflets on ahimsa, vegetarianism and the Shia sect of Islam.
One can also find several books on Buddhism by Hsing Yun, a Chinese Buddhist monk and founder of Fo Guang Shan religious movement, at the stall of Buddha Light Art and Living Pvt Ltd.
Vishwa Jain Sangathan (VJS) is offering free books on ahimsa and vegetarianism.
Ours is a religious and social service organisation. Through our efforts and books, we try to motivate people and promote ahimsa, non-violence and vegetarianism.
-Sunjay K Jain, President, VJS.
Among the various stalls related to Islamic books are Maktaba Tul Madinah, Nure Quran Foundation and Imamia Youth Organisation.
A total of 30 countries are participating in the fair which ends on February 22. It is organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) in association with the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) at Pragati Maidan.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)