It seems the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan is always mired in controversy. This year, the organisers, who invited noted author Nayantara Sahgal to inaugurate the 92nd sammelan, have cancelled the invitation. The Marathi literary conference is to be held from January 11 to January 13 at Yavatmal.

Sahgal was supposed to inaugurate the sammelan in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Noted author Aruna Dhere is to preside over the event. Controversies have always raged around the sahitya sammelan, be they over caste issues or the election of its presidents, their speeches, and even the venues for the conference. Known for her views and straightforwardly airing them, Sahgal had received a Sahitya Akademi award in 1986 for her book, 'Rich Like Us,' which she returned after the murders of rational thinkers — anti-superstition crusader Narendra Dabholkar, Comrade Govind Pansare and MM Kalburgi.