Right-wing activists disrupt Malala memoir reading in Ahmedabad; 3 arrested

A reading session of Malala Yousafzai's memoir in Ahmedabad was attacked by Bajrang Dal and VHP activists. Two participants were injured in the scuffle, while police arrested three people.Bajrang Dal, VHP workers attacked participants at Malala Yousafzai book reading. (X/@Bajrangdal_Guj)A reading session of Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai's memoir 'I Am Malala' turned violent in Ahmedabad after a group of people identifying themselves as right-wing activists attacked participants, police said on Friday.Three people have been arrested in connection with the incident, which took place at Vastrapur Garden on Thursday evening. Police said two people were injured in the scuffle.Vastrapur police station inspector GM Chaudhary said a group of nearly 20 people, including women, had gathered at the public garden for the reading session. As they were leaving after the event, around 18 to 20 people reached the spot and demanded to know why they had read Yousafzai's memoir 'I Am Malala'.According to the officer, the group said its members were from the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. An altercation followed, which led to a scuffle. The attackers were armed with sticks, she said. "An FIR has been registered, and two of the accused were known to the victims. Apart from them, six individuals have been identified, and three have already been arrested," Chaudhary said. She added that the attackers claimed to be affiliated with the Bajrang Dal and the VHP.The FIR has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to rioting, unlawful assembly and causing physical pain, the official said. A few weeks ago, a private school in Ahmedabad had dropped books by Yousafzai and Holocaust survivor Anne Frank from its mandatory reading list after protests by right-wing groups. The incident at the Ahmedabad garden has led to three arrests so far, with police saying more accused have been identified after the attack on participants at the reading session of 'I Am Malala'.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 28, 2026 13:51 IST