more-inBook lovers might be in for some disappointment at the Delhi Book Fair this year that began at Pragati Maidan on Saturday, thanks to the violence that ensued following the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The 23rd edition of the fair appears to have all the makings of a failed show with chirpings of “scanty footfall” owing to people avoiding getting caught in the violence. In for luckRuchi, a regular visitor to book fairs, turned up at the venue without company because her friends could not risk travelling all the way from Gurugram. The book fair is going to be a “lose-lose situation” for both publishers and visitors, claimed Saurabh from Nanda book service. “Our weekend business will surely take a hit because of what played out on the roads of Delhi and Gurugram on Friday,” said Mr. SaurabhMany book stall owners at the venue also expressed concern over how things would pan out after the Dera chief's quantum of punishment is announced on August 28.

Source: The Hindu August 26, 2017 17:48 UTC