New Delhi: Bloombury book launch event in national capital on Saturday earned spotlight, not because of unveiling of some notable book but because of the embarrassment & criticism it received for ‘humiliating’ treatment to the author who missed her own book launch.
The controversy erupted as brand strategist Suhel Seth, a #MeToo Accused attended the book launch event.
Tanushree Bhowmik, one of the contributing editors of The Bloomsbury Handbook Of Indian Cuisine skipped this function at the Taj Palace hotel in protest against presence of Suhel Seth. The book has been published by Bloombury India.
Tanushree, while explaining the reason behind skipping the event, lodged strong protest against his presence at book launch. Protesting the presence of ‘serial sexual offender’, Bhowmik wrote a Facebook post, “I find myself unable to attend an event that puts a man like him at the center stage. A man whom six women, including author Ira Trivedi, have accused of grave sexual misconduct.”
Launching a diatribe against him, the author said that Seth must not have been invited for the event.
“While we give lip service to feminist causes and cheer Suhel Seth in public forums,” the author said.
Apart from Suhel Seth, the book launch was also attended by senior journalist Sourish Bhattacharyya and Hoihnu Hauzel, another contributor from the North East.
For the unversed, brand strategist Suhel Seth was accused of sexual harassment by a couple of women under the #MeToo campaign and this also resulted in termination of his contract as consultant with Tata Group.
Following the embarrassing situation, the Bloomsbury India came in direct line of fire as many writers, journalists & activists slammed the publisher for bringing sexual offender at centrestage.
Slow clap for @BloomsburyIndia, who launched the book despite the author herself boycotting the event bec of Suhel Seth’s presence. No shame left. https://t.co/B994sCP4M0
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) June 16, 2023
Shame on you @BloomsburyIndia . The author herself refused to attend her book release because of the presence of Suhel Seth a #MeToo accused whom 6 women accused of grave sexual misconduct, including author Ira Trivedi. And here he is talking in a manel. #Shame https://t.co/xaYNCh7PSo pic.twitter.com/wNCGHj5ypG
— Paromita Bardoloi (@Paromitabardolo) June 16, 2023
“Slow clap for Bloomsbury India, who launched the book despite the author herself boycotting the event because of Suhel Seth’s presence. No shame left,” wrote a user.
Paromita Bardoloi, who describes herself as an author, said, “Shame on you, Bloomsbury India!
