SC Lifts Ban on Shivaji Book but Maha Govt Reluctant to Follow Order
The Supreme Court has lifted the ban on a controversial book on Shivaji authored by James Laine’s but the Maharashtra government is reluctant to implement the instruction fearing it could give Opposition an upper hand, said media reports.
The Shiv Sena and the BJP, opposition parties in the state, heatedly referred to the book in the Assembly today, forcing a brief adjournment of the house, reports said.
The Speaker of the house finally agreed to the Sena’s demand for a discussion on the issue, said reports.
Besides, chief minister Ashok Chavan has constituted a special committee to see if the publication and sale of the book can be stopped despite the court order, reports said.
It may be mentioned that ‘Shivaji-The Hindu King in Muslim India’ was written by Laine, a professor of religious studies, and was published in 2003 by the Oxford University Press in New York and New Delhi.
A year later, the Maharashtra government banned the book on the grounds that it could lead to communal tension.
The Mumbai High Court, in 2005, lifted the ban, after which the state government appealed to the Supreme Court, where it has lost its case.
(Based on internet reports)
