Steering Committee finalizes venue for 44th Agartala Book Fair at Hapania amid controversy

Amid controversy over the venue selection for the 44th Agartala Book Fair, the steering committee in a preparatory meeting held at the Sukanta Academy auditorium on Wednesday evening unilaterally decided to hold the upcoming book fair at the Hapania International Fairground from the first week of January 2026.

The decision reportedly triggered strong resentment among several invitees, including members of the Media Advisory Committee, who alleged that the process was “autocratic” and marked by “gross insult” to journalists present at the meeting

At the outset of the meeting, representatives of the All-Tripura Book Sellers and Publishers Association had urged the authorities to hold the book fair in the heart of Agartala city, citing convenience for book lovers and higher sales volume witnessed in previous years. However, a section of invitees supported organizing the event at the Hapania International Fairground, despite earlier experiences of poor footfall and declining sales.

During the discussion, two senior journalists—also members of the Media Advisory Committee of the Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) Department—presented logical arguments favoring the city-center venue. They emphasized that the central location would better serve readers and encourage participation of the younger generation.

However, midway through the discussion, the Secretary of the ICA Department abruptly announced that the government had already finalized Hapania as the venue, overriding the ongoing deliberations. This announcement reportedly came moments after the ICA Director, through a PowerPoint presentation, had invited opinions from all present regarding the venue selection.

Following the Secretary’s unilateral declaration, another journalist questioned why opinions were sought if the decision had already been made, accusing the authorities of sidelining the majority view. In protest against what they termed “autocratic behavior” and “misconduct” by the top official, the journalists boycotted the meeting.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman, Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar, AMC Deputy Mayor Manika Das Dutta, MLA Minarani Sarkar, West Tripura Zilla Parishad Acting President Bishwajit Shil, Vice-Chairman of the State Cultural Advisory Committee Subrata Chakraborty, former Tripura University Vice-Chancellor Padma Arunoday Saha, and several others.

Earlier, Dr. P.K. Chakraborty, Secretary of the ICA Department, delivered the welcome address. Both Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy and AMC Mayor Dipak Majumdar, in their remarks, claimed that the government had developed the Hapania International Fairground with all necessary facilities to host major fairs and exhibitions.

However, they appeared to overlook the prevailing sentiment among book lovers and city residents, who have consistently favoured holding the Agartala Book Fair within the city limits for easier public access and greater participation.