Plea in Delhi HC seeks ban on Salman Khurshid’s Book
The Delhi High Court will hear on November 24 a plea seeking direction to stop the publication, circulation, and sale of former Union minister and Congress leader Salman Khurshid‘s book for its remarks on Hindutva.
Advocate Vineet Jindal, the petitioner confirmed that the matter has been passed for hearing on November 24 (Wednesday) in the High Court. Jindal has filed the plea
through Adv Raj Kishor Chaudhary.
The petition cites an excerpt from the book under the chapter titled “The Saffron Sky‘, “Sanatan dharma and classical Hinduism known to sages and saints was being pushed aside by a robust version of Hindutva, by all standards a political version similar to jihadist Islam of groups like ISIS and Boko Haram of recent years.”
According to the petitioner, the impugned statement is not only instigating and provoking but also enrages emotions among the Hindu religion followers.
The petition states, “Issue a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondent…to stop the circulation, sale, purchase, and publication of the book names ‘Sunrise over Ayodhya‘ written by the respondent no 5 and published by the respondent no 4 in any form, i.e. either printed or electronic.”
The Congress leader, Khurshid is embroiled in controversy and faced a backlash for comparing Hindutva to radical jihadist groups like ISIS And Boko Haram.
Freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1) of the Constitution goes hand-in-hand with reasonable restrictions that may be imposed under Article 19(2), so, in a country like India, which is perpetually on a communal tinderbox, where religious sentiments run deep, where respect for certain public and historical figures always come accompanied with veneration for their demi-god status, it doesn’t take much for malice to be coated with a toxic communal hue based on the contents of the book, the plea stated.
Earlier in a complaint to Delhi police, Jindal had demanded an FIR against Khurshid in the matter under 153, 153A, 298, and 505(2) of the IPC which are cognizable offences and very serious and to take strict legal action.
Publication of this book has also been challenged in the city’s Patiala House Court, by way of a suit filed by Hindu Sena President, Vishnu Gupta seeking the prohibitory injunction. It states that the plaintiff was shocked to read an excerpt from the book, allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of a large number of people belonging to the Hindu religion.
[With Inputs from IANS]
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When people are free to write, people are also free to take revenge action on such writers !!
Courts shoudl NOT entertain nor interfere in such matters for Courts are also free to express its views for such frivolous books / petitions only consume time of Courts. To be held responsible for any action is Newtons 3rd law & Law should not interfere
Court in its judgement should include that those who write on lines of free speech, are to be solely held responsible for any outrage that happens with them who believe in “free speech” – Example: Western Journalists life being taken for cartoons on Prophet Mohd. Free speech, Free life for ever.
In a secular country religion can only be personal matter. Ideally the courts should once and
for all put an end to people writing about religion that they do not belong to, just as writing about the family members or practices of others families is not acceptable and it should be dome without observations and commentary.
Mr. Khurshid should be free to write whatever he wants about his own faith/religion and face beheading or getting hand chopped as and if allowed in that faith.