Sahgal episode exposed intolerant face of Maha govt: Congress

The Congress Monday said the move to cancel the Marathi Literary Meet inaugural invite to noted litterateur Nayantara Sahgal has exposed the "intolerant" face of the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government.

A day after local organisers of the event, scheduled to be held in Yavatmal in east Maharashtra, announced their decision to withdraw the invitation, state Congress president Ashok Chavan said it was done at the behest of the chief minister and to ensure his "political security".

The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) Monday clarified that the decision on whom to invite for the meet is taken by the organisers and the state government has no role in it.

Chavan said the chief minister has issued a clarification, but has "not condemned" the withdrawal of the invite by organisers in Yavatmal.

He asked Fadnavis to invite Sahgal again "if the meet organisers had not cancelled the invitation under his pressure".

"This episode has exposed the intolerant face of the Fadnavis ..