SC slams Maha govt on Laine's book on Shivaji

The Supreme Court Tuesday slammed Maharashtra government for its intention to remove the derogatory reference to the great Maratha leader Shivaji in a controversial book written by American author James Laine.

The apex court had earlier rejected the Maharashtra government's plea to ban the book titled "Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India said," Weak minds can not judge the word. "

Apex court said in its ruling, the state can not arbitrarily remove the pages where the alleged derogatory remarks made to the great Maratha ruler. Apex court also called for the withdrawal of the book as unfortunate.

The High Court had earlier said that the message issued by the state government was unsustainable in light of the apex court order which had abolished criminal proceedings against Laine over claims that the book promoted social hostility.

The provincial government had issued the directive under § 95 of the Criminal Code Act, which provides a state government to ban books, if they contain material that could lead to breaches of the peace and tranquility and cause communal tensions.

Laine's book was published in 2003 by OUP in New York and New Delhi.

Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray said the book sellers not to sell the book. Sena spokesperson Neelam Gore told media persons here that although the Supreme Court has lifted the ban, the book is not available on the market.