Historian Audrey Truschke's talks in Hyderabad cancelled

Hyderabad: American academician and historian Audrey Truschke’s talk in Hyderabad has been cancelled,  as the organisers could not zero down on a  ‘secure’ spot, following the growing aggression as they foresaw threat. The talk titled, Culture of Encounters: Sanskrit at the Mughal Court and Aurangzeb: The man and the Myth, was scheduled to be held in the city on August 11 hosted by Krishnakriti Foundation in collaboration with History of peace.

Hyderabad was Audrey’s 3rd stop after Kolkata and Delhi and the only city that is not able to host her.  Even before the event would kick start,  the organisers were encountering hurdles, scouting for venues, seeking police permission and detailing with aggression from a few sections.

An organiser working closing with the Author told this newspaper, “It is unfortunate that we had to call it off.  Organisers were unable to find a secure location in Hyderabad. A cycle of discussion was held among various city-based culture and heritage enthusiasts, who offered to hold the event.” however, foreseeing trouble, the talk has been called off”.

“Unfortunately people who were least involved in the event are gaining political mileage, the topic slated dint scatter any controversy, Audrey was to talk about the Sanskrit language at Mughal court. While Delhi and Kolkata event did not invite any trouble, they added.

The event venue was shifted twice; it was originally scheduled to be held at Kalakriti Art Gallery, and then shifted Bhaskara Auditorium, BM Birla Science Centre. The organisers were facing  pressure from right wing groups like Bajrang Dal, say sources. Earlier, Bajrang Dal activists had lodged police complaint against Truschke.