BJP demands ban on Christian publication

Equating the derogatory remarks against Hindu deities in a domestic Christian publication with the controversial caricatures of Prophet Mohammad, the Opposition BJP today demanded a ban on the book and immediate arrest of its author and publisher.

Charging Communists with trying to defend the publication and the Congress with "remaining silent spectators", party spokesman V K Malhotra termed as "vulgar and highly objectionable" the contents of the book ‘Haqeeqat’ (Truth) written by one M G Mathew.

"The entire nation had condemned in one voice the caricatures of Prophet Mohammad and even a journalist Alok Tomar, who criticised it was arrested for reproducing the cartoon and denied bail. But in this case, neither the book has been banned or any arrest made", he said.

Malhotra said noted artist M F Hussein, who painted nude pictures of Hindu deities, was moving around "scot free" and Congress leader Nafisa Ali not only auctioned those paintings but also took a part of the sale proceedings towards her NGO.

The book’s author and its publisher should be arrested, the book proscribed and the Padmashree given to Thomas be withdrawn immediately, he demanded.

The book, published by the Kerala-based Truth and Life and Publications, is said to be an anaytical study on the ‘Bunch of Thoughts’ written by second RSS Chief Guru M S Golwalkar. Its Hindi translator Dennis Nathaniel has since been arrested by the Rajasthan Police.

Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha also witnessed an uproar over the issue and was adjourned for two hours.