A Delhi bookstore has stirred online debate due to its unusual book arrangement. At Om Book Shop, The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank was placed alongside Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and Mahatma Gandhi’s The Story of My Experiments with Truth. This surprising arrangement has left many questioning the reasoning behind it.
Viral Post Highlights the Issue
The controversy began when Himanish Ganjoo, a customer, posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “Only in India.” The image quickly went viral, sparking widespread discussions about the stark contrast between the themes of the books.
Only in India pic.twitter.com/45MQo13SeH
— Himanish Ganjoo (@hganjoo_153) December 24, 2024
Social Media Reactions
Several users expressed their surprise and frustration. For example, one user commented, “At least they bothered putting My Experiments with Truth in the middle. I remember some dude putting Anne Frank and Mein Kampf side-by-side.”
Moreover, another user raised a thought-provoking question: “Can the stories of peace, resilience, and hatred coexist on the same shelf?”
While some suggested that reading these books together might offer a more nuanced understanding of history’s complexities, others were less forgiving. Many accused the store of insensitivity. One comment read, “This shows a lack of understanding of history. It feels disrespectful.”
The Historical Significance
The Diary of a Young Girl is a poignant memoir by Anne Frank, documenting her life during the Holocaust. Published in 1947, it has sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
In contrast, Mein Kampf is a dark and controversial manifesto that promoted Nazi ideology. At its peak, it sold about 12 million copies during the Nazi regime.
Ongoing Discussion
As the controversy continues, people remain divided. While some view the arrangement as thought-provoking, others find it deeply disrespectful. This ongoing discussion has sparked a wider conversation about the sensitive handling of historical texts.
