Kathmandu Literary Festival Postponed After Protests Leave 19 Dead
Kathmandu literary fest postponed after deadly anti-government protests.
The 4th Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival, originally slated for September 13-14, 2025, in Kathmandu, has been postponed due to violent protests in the Nepalese capital, event organizers announced on Tuesday. The decision follows deadly unrest on Monday, where youth-led demonstrations against a government-imposed ban on social media platforms resulted in at least 19 deaths and over 300 injuries.
The Bhubaneswar-based organizers cited the volatile situation as the primary reason for rescheduling the festival to February 14-15, 2026. The festival was set to feature a vibrant gathering of over 60 Indian writers, including prominent names like Banu Mushtaq, Deepa Bhasthi, and Basudev Tripathi, alongside 200 Nepali authors.
The event aimed to foster literary exchange and cultural dialogue between India and Nepal, drawing significant attention from the literary community. However, the violent protests, sparked by the controversial social media ban, created an environment deemed unsafe and inappropriate for hosting such a large-scale cultural event, according to a statement from the organizers.
Rashmi Ranjan Parida, director of the Kalinga Literary Festival, emphasized that proceeding with the event under the current circumstances would be disrespectful to those affected by the violence. The organizers expressed solidarity with the people of Kathmandu and urged calm while reaffirming their commitment to holding the festival in a safer, more stable environment next year.
The postponement reflects a cautious approach to prioritizing safety and sensitivity amid Nepal’s ongoing socio-political challenges.
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