The much debated issue of intolerance will be addressed by authors at the 3rd Kolkata Literature Festival, which is an integral part of the annual Kolkata Book Fair.
The Literature Festival will be inaugurated on February 4 with Ashok Vajpeyi, Sanjib Chattopadhyay and Tridib Shurud among the main speakers.
When asked why a political issue was being discussed at the Kolkata Literature Festival, organizer Tridib Chatterjee said,"It has nothing to do with politics. India by nature and tradition has been a tolerant country. So Kolkata being the pilgrimage of culture, we felt that the issue of intolerance be discussed,".
Noted writer Ashok Vajpeyi decided to return D.Litt given to him by Hyderabad University in protest against the "anti-dalit" attitude of authorities which has allegedly driven a dalit student to commit suicide.
The 40th edition of Kolkata Book Fair will be inaugurated on January 25 and the fair will start from Januray 26 and end on Feb 7.
Bolivian author Magela Baudoin and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be present at the official inauguration function on January 25 before the fair begins.
Bangladesh Day will be celebrated on the Fair grounds on February 2.
