Gujarat bans controversial book on Mahatma

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Gujarat bans controversial book on Mahatma

Joseph Lelyveld, in his latest book called Mahatma Gandhi a bisexual, which attracted a lot of ire from Gandhi's home state Gujarat. In order to avoid further controversy, Narendra Modi has banned the book in Gujarat.

CJ: RATAN SHARGA

Thu, Mar 31, 2011 14:49:41 IST

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IT SEEMS western historians and writers draw some kind of fun and get some sort of psychological satisfaction while defaming and portraying our great Indian leaders and freedom fighters in a bad light on one pretext or the other.

Their continuous tirade against the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi is one among such immoral acts where literature is being used as a tool to defame Mahatma and this is something which can’t be simply ignored as we all have an emotional attachment with the father of the nation and the amount of respect he commands in the hearts of over 121 billion people is simply amazing.

Still, these authors in order to sell their book invite publicity and wrath of millions of Indians and when their book gets a ban in the nation, they feel their job is almost done as that helps them in making big money. But how far is it justified to malign some great personality in order to book great commercial returns?

Recently, a controversial book on Mahatma Gandhi was banned in his native state of Gujarat by the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, saying its contents were perverse and defamed the icon of non-violence. Certainly it has hurt the sentiments of Gujarati people, who come across this book ,'Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India' on Mahatma Gandhi written by Pulitzer award winning journalist Joseph Lelyveld, in which it is said that the Mahatma was a bisexual.

While the author Lelyveld has reportedly denied such reports and that he ever had portrayed Gandhi in a bad light, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said he has displayed a perverted mentality in writing the book and has hurt the sentiments of the masses. The chief minister said, 'I would like to inform the house that the Gujarat government has decided to ban the publication, printing or distribution of the book in the state with immediate effect to which a resolution was passed in the house which was accepted unanimously.'

Modi said that Mahatma Gandhi was not only a very towering personality in India but his name has been regarded internationally and his path of non-violence and tolerance has taught the world how one can achieve goals without bloodshed. He devoted his entire life to the welfare of mankind. Modi also asked the author to tender an unconditional public apology.

He also said that the state Assembly had appealed to the government of India to ban the book with immediate effect in the country. Congress leader and the Leader of Opposition, Shaktisinh Gohil, also demanded legal action against the writer.

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