One more book ban

[Swati]

It is politics at work by self-appointed spokespersons of society. So far, the book itself has not been banned, only dropped from the university syllabus.

Now Shiv Sena locks horn with Mumbai University
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/now-shiv-sena...37-64.html
The Shiv Sena has now forced the Mumbai University to drop Rohinton Mistry's Booker nominated novel 'Such a Long Journey' from the Bachelor of Arts (BA) second year course.
It was Shiv Sena's heir apparent Aditya Thackeray, a student himself, who first brought to the party's notice that portions of the book are allegedly disrespectful towards the Sena.
"It is so obscene and so disrespectful. It may anger some sections of the society. Should such a thing be taught to our youngsters?," said Shiv Sena spokesperson, Shweta Parulekar.

This novel was made into an English language movie, 1998. filmed in Mumbai.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120848/

Gujarat govt bans Jaswant's book on Jinnah
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india...912300.cms

Censorship in India mainly targets religious issues
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_India

[unsorted]

The fools. Aside from the fact that banning of books is ridiculous, this particular book happens to be superb (as are all of Mistry's books imo).

I don't know if we have discussed this before: what do you all think of banning books based on security concerns? E.g. even Khushwant Singh agreed with the ban on Satanic Verses, because he thought it could lead to violence (or something along those lines).

My opinion: books (and art/literature in general) should never ever be banned. If you think it could lead to violence, then use the law to combat these thugs.

[astrokid.nj]

(05-Oct-2010, 03:49 PM)unsorted Wrote: My opinion: books (and art/literature in general) should never ever be banned. If you think it could lead to violence, then use the law to combat these thugs.

... which presupposes that law enforcement is in working order. You have heard of the corruption even at the top levels of the judiciary (let alone the rampant corruption at lower levels). The Police force is pretty much the same. Frustrating really.. how do we get a toehold?

[Lije]

The last time these wimps got a book banned, the SC lifted it. Of course, Raj Thackeray wasn't happy:

Quote: “Let them dare to keep the books in the stalls. We would deal with it in MNS style,”

I can't find the exact quote, but I think the SC also said that if a book 'hurts' feelings of weak and vacillating minds, that isn't a justification for banning a book.

[Swati]

(05-Oct-2010, 09:11 PM)Lije Wrote: The last time these wimps got a book banned, the SC lifted it. Of course, Raj Thackeray wasn't happy:

Quote: “Let them dare to keep the books in the stalls. We would deal with it in MNS style,”

I can't find the exact quote, but I think the SC also said that if a book 'hurts' feelings of weak and vacillating minds, that isn't a justification for banning a book.

The full text of the SC judgement makes for an interesting read not only for legal aspects of censorship, but also because there is mention of the contentious passages, it encapsulates the social and political dynamics of Shivaji's era. There was a caste issue then and it is a caste issue now.

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main46.asp?...ookBan.asp

"The Supreme Court decision to lift the ban on the book will not change the situation on the ground”
Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Chhagan Bhujbal talks about why the lifting of the ban on the book, Shivaji – A Hindu king in Islamic India will be ineffective in Maharashtra


'Grounds Must Be Distinguished From Opinion'
The Supreme Court, finally, lifts its stay on the Bombay High Court order quashing the Maharashtra government ban on James W. Laine's controversial book on Shivaji
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?266195
Full Text:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/34220477/JamesLaine-20100711

[Swati]

(05-Oct-2010, 03:49 PM)unsorted Wrote: The fools. Aside from the fact that banning of books is ridiculous, this particular book happens to be superb (as are all of Mistry's books imo).

I don't know if we have discussed this before: what do you all think of banning books based on security concerns? E.g. even Khushwant Singh agreed with the ban on Satanic Verses, because he thought it could lead to violence (or something along those lines).

My opinion: books (and art/literature in general) should never ever be banned. If you think it could lead to violence, then use the law to combat these thugs.

I don't think that books should be banned on security concerns. The general populace hardly reads books. It's just some political outfits who threaten and cause law and order problems.
Secondly, if a political party finds anything false written about them in a book, they can sue the authors/publishers. The problem is that political parties themselves don't believe in democratic means of protest.
Thirdly, what's the point of banning books and movies in the internet age?