Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
NEW DELHI, July 12, 2010: The Indian Supreme Court dismissed Bombay High Court’s decision to quash the ban and confiscation of the controversial book — “Shivaji – The Hindu King in Muslim India,” as a “drastic” exercise in governamental power, a power that should be exercised cautiously to uphold the Constitution.
But less than a week after Supreme Court slammed the Maharashtra government for banning American author James Laine’s book on Shivaji, the state is contemplating a legislation to stop defamation of national, historical or community icons.
Maharashtra home minister R R Patil announced in the assembly on Monday that the state would introduce a bill in the winter session to ban such books. Patil said, “We will not allow defamation of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Jeejamata. This is a matter of Maharashtra’s asmita (pride).”
Lawyers, however, say a “general law seeking to ban books” will not stand the constitional validity test.