Chaos and Book Theft Reported at New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 Final Day

The 53rd New Delhi World Book Fair 2026, held from January 10 to 18 at Bharat Mandapam, drew large crowds but ended amid chaotic scenes on its final day. Viral videos showed visitors scrambling, pushing, and allegedly stealing books, especially after some stalls announced free giveaways. The disorder sparked widespread criticism on social media regarding civic sense and respect for literary events. Some attendees and authors also reported incidents of groping and theft, raising concerns about event management and visitor behavior.