Ban gone, now where's that Shivaji book?

Enquiries are flooding bookstores across city, but publisher Oxford University press says as of now it has no plans to print fresh copies of James Laine's controversial book on Chhatrapati Shivaji

The Supreme Court's lifting of the ban on US writer James Laine's controversial book 'Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India' seems to have made little difference. Even the publisher is reluctant to print and distribute fresh copies.

While quite a few bookstores in the city remain apprehensive about stocking the book as they do not want political outfits creating trouble on their premises, procuring fresh prints of the book is also a problem for stores that would like to keep it on their shelves.

The withdrawal of the book by the publisher late in 2003 following a letter of protest by a scholar, Prafulla Chandra Tawde, means bookstores are not sure whether they will be able to get hold of copies of the book even as enquiries for it keep pouring in.

"We have people coming in asking for the book but we haven't had copies for at least five years now," said Upendra Dixit, president, Pune Book Sellers Association. "There is no need for political parties to worry, because there are no copies available in the market anyway!"

But Dixit said the availability of pirated versions of the book can not be ruled out.

"We don't have control over piracy. As curiosity will be high after the lifting of the ban, people will try to get their hands on any copy," said Dixit.

Sunil Gadgil, owner of Popular Book House and secretary of Pune Book Sellers Association, said curiosity was high among people after the Supreme Court verdict.

"There are enquiries about the availability of the book but, unfortunately, the publisher has withdrawn it from the market," said Gadgil.

Playing safe
There are others who want to play safe.
"We had an offer to translate the book into Marathi. We had refused in 2003 and even now we are not ready to do it," said Anil Mehta, owner of Mehta Publishing House. "It is a scary situation and we are not willing to take a risk."

Some sections of society feel strongly that banning a book is not fair and goes against the spirit of democracy.
"This is a free country. We had supported the book even when it was banned. Unless a particular book is encouraging communal hatred or disseminating incorrect information, you cannot curb the right to free speech," said Anand Bhushan, president, Federation of Indian Publishers. "The Supreme Court has also lifted the ban on Laine's book, but the Indian edition of this book is not available now. I feel no book should be banned. Even Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses was published after a request from International Publishers' Federation. We should be able to sell and buy books as this is democracy."

Publisher reluctant
The Oxford University Press is reluctant to print fresh copies of Laine's book even after the lifting of the ban has been upheld. "Seven years ago we had issued notices to all our offices in India for the immediate withdrawal of the book. We are yet to take a final call in the changed circumstances," said Sunil Vohra, CEO, Oxford University Press. "As of now we are maintaining status quo. We are not going to publish or distribute the book in the Indian market."

Tawde, who sent a letter to the publisher objecting to certain portions of the book when it hit the market in 2003, is unhappy with the ban being lifted. In a letter dated November 25, 2003, Manzar Khan wrote to him for Oxford University Press, India, offering an apology and promising withdrawal of the book.
"When the book was published in 2003, over 3,500 copies were sold in the country. About 350 of them were sold in Mumbai and Pune," said Tawde. "I was unhappy with the book and had even interacted with Laine on the issue."

Views of writers
Mandar Kokate, a well-known city-based author, said controversial books were better left alone.
"Though I myself own a publishing house, I feel that if a book contains some controversial material that could provoke public sentiment, it should not be published," said Kokate. "The (objectionable) matter should be excluded from a book before it is published so that it does not lead to unrest."

Ganesh Vispute, a noted Marathi poet, said politicians have throughout history suppressed uncomfortable things.

"Libraries were burnt at Takshashila and Nalanda universities for similar reasons. Man is curious by nature and he should not be deprived of his fundamental right to read any kind of writing," said Vispute. "Private lives of big people like Mountbatten and Nelson Mandela have always raised eyebrows, but no one ever denied their fundamental achievements and contribution to history, and we are forgetting this truth."