Tamil Nadu news: The 10-day annual book fair, a highly anticipated event in Madurai, commenced at Tamukkam Maidan, a historic landmark in the city on Friday. Organized by the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI) in coordination with the district administration, the fair attracts thousands of readers from across the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. This year's festival is being held at the Maidan from September 6 to September 16, 2024.
The inauguration ceremony took place earlier on Friday, with Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration, P. Moorthy, presiding over the event, as per a report on The Hindu. He was accompanied by District Collector Sangeeta, Mayor Indrani, and Corporation Commissioner Dinesh Kumar. In his opening remarks, Minister Moorthy encouraged students to make the most of the book fair, highlighting the State government’s efforts to expand access to libraries and promote knowledge and skill development among students.
However, the ceremony was marred by an unexpected controversy.
Devotional Song Creates Controversy
Shortly after the inauguration, a traditional performance began, followed by the playing of a devotional song. As the song played, a group of schoolgirls seated near the stage became visibly emotional, chanting along and eventually dancing with an intensity that seemed to overwhelm them. Several of the students fainted, prompting members of the public to sprinkle water on their faces to revive them and help them to their seats, according to a report on ABP Nadu.
The incident sparked a heated debate among attendees. Some questioned the appropriateness of playing devotional songs at a government-organized event and argued with officials over the choice of program. The performance was subsequently canceled midway, and the crowd was dispersed. However, the video of the incident went viral on social media evoking opinions from various quarters.