Slogans raised against Kanhaiya at Kolkata Lit Fest

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A literary session being addressed by student activist Kanhaiya Kumar had to be cut short at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet (KLM) here on Saturday after ultra-Left activists raised slogans against him.

Kumar, who has penned a book 'Bihar to Tihar', was addressing a session of the KLM at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium here.

But activists, under the platform of Bastar Solidarity Network India, raised slogans against the former Jawaharlal Nehru University's Students' Union president for attending a literary meet organised by the Tatas and "accepting corporate hospitality".

The protesters raised slogans such as "Kashmir Maange Azaadi" and "Maqbool Maange Azaadi" and carried banners criticising the Tata Steel sponsors.

Kumar tried to reason with the protesters, but was forced to halt his programme due to the continuous slogan shouting. He apologised to the audience for not being able to answer their questions.

He also said: "I did not expect this to happen in Kolkata."

--IANS

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