A group of civil society members was allegedly assaulted by Bajrang Dal workers in Ahmedabad on Thursday while they had gathered at a public ground to read a book by Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. The incident followed a social media post inviting people to participate in a reading session at a garden in the city, according to the information available. The gathering was organised after a call was circulated on social media asking people to assemble and read Yousafzai's book.

Members of the civil society group had gathered at the venue when Bajrang Dal workers reportedly arrived and confronted them.  The situation subsequently turned physical, with members of the group allegedly being assaulted. The incident comes amid an ongoing controversy in Ahmedabad over the inclusion of a book by Yousafzai in a school's reading material. Around two weeks ago, a school in the city reportedly assigned a book written by the Pakistani education activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient to its students.

The decision triggered opposition from members of the Bajrang Dal, who objected to Yousafzai's past comments and position on the Kashmir issue. Bajrang Dal members had protested against the school management, arguing that Yousafzai's views on Kashmir were anti-India. The objections led to a wider debate over the suitability of her writings for students and the political sensitivities surrounding her public statements. In response to the protest and amid concerns over the controversy, the school authorities decided to withdraw the book from the reading list and suspend its study.

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The latest incident has brought the issue back into focus, with the alleged assault at the Ahmedabad gathering raising questions over the handling of disagreements surrounding political views and literary material. The civil society members had reportedly gathered only to participate in a reading activity based on the book when the Bajrang Dal workers entered the venue. The controversy also highlights the continuing sensitivity surrounding Yousafzai's views in India. Yousafzai, who became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, has long campaigned globally for girls' education and children's rights.

Her public comments on issues concerning India and Kashmir have, however, drawn criticism from sections of the country. The circumstances surrounding Thursday's alleged assault, including the identities of those involved and any action taken by authorities, will determine the next course of the matter. The incident has nevertheless intensified the debate in Ahmedabad over freedom of expression, public readings and the limits of protest when disagreements arise over the views expressed by an author.

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