Posted on May 20, 2021 at 2:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek
A publishing company is facing backlash from some of its most prominent authors for publishing a book by an embattled politician — name the country!
If you guessed the US, you’re not technically wrong, but in this instance, we’re referring to India.
Penguin Random House India’s decision to reissue Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s book Exam Warriors hasn’t set well with authors Pankaj Mishra and Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy.
The former specifically criticized Modi’s crackdown in Kashmir, “violent persecution of writers and journalists,” and insistence on holding rallies that ultimately became super-spreader events.
The latter, meanwhile, reiterated popular skepticism over Modi’s educational background and criticized his administration for frequently pressuring the publishing industry.
The Guardian, which reported on the authors’ complaints about Modi's publishing deal, said that Penguin wrote back to Mishra reiterating its commitment to sharing diverse voices; the publisher hasn’t yet responded to the newspaper’s request for further comment.
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Categories: Today in Books