[This is just not another embarrassment for Narendra "Killer" Modi, but also a laudable assertion of the right to free speech. Whether the common public would be allowed to access a particular book cannot be contingent upon the likes and dislikes of the rulers of the day. That's too dangerous.
The assessment of Jinnah is, however, a different matter altogether. Despite all liberal/radical laudatory noises about Jinnah's love for good life - liquor and pork, immaculately tailored suits etc. - his brilliant performance as a constitutionalist conservative politician (initially) operating from within the Congress fold; at the end of that all, he would be remembered as the Father of Pakistan (The Holy Land - exclusive homeland for (a large segment of) sub-continental Muslims). With fond reverence, in Pakistan. And deep bitterness, in post-Independence/Partition India. He'd be remembered for his call of "Direct Action Day" on August 16 1946 triggering one of the goriest orgy of violence and bestiality in contemporary human history eventually leading to the Partition and its still lingering legacy.] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Gujarat-High-Court-lifts-ban-on-Jaswants-book-on-Jinnah/articleshow/4971459.cms Gujarat High Court lifts ban on Jaswant's book on JinnahSaeed Khan, TNN 4 September 2009, 02:14pm IST NEW DELHI: The Gujarat High Court has set aside the Modi government’s order banning Jaswant Singh's book on Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The court, hearing a public interest petition, ruled against the ban. The ban curtails fundamental rights, the high court said. ( Watch Video <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videoshow/4971607.cms> ) The Gujarat government had banned the expelled BJP leader’s book 'Jinnah -- India, Partition, Independence'. The state government claimed the contents of the book tarnished Sardar Patel’s image. The Modi government alleged the book was an attempt to defame the image of the country's first home minister Vallabhbhai Patel by "questioning his patriotic spirit". "Jaswant Singh's book questions role of Sardar Patel during the partition of India as well as his patriotic spirit. This is an attempt to tarnish the image of Patel who is considered the architect of modern united India," a statement issued by the state government had said. "It is a bid to defame Patel by distorting historical facts," it charged. Elated by the decision, Jaswant Singh said he was "thrilled" by the high court judgement and added it was a positive reflection on the judiciary. But, he saud, "one should not have to go to the court for this". "I have not abused anybody, so why (ban the book)?" he added. The expelled leader had earlier criticized the ban, saying it amounted to ‘banning thinking’ and likened the step to the one taken against noted author Salman Rushdie for his controversial work 'Satanic Verses'. "The day we start banning books, we are banning thinking," said Singh, who was expelled by BJP. The controversial book lauds the founder of Pakistan and holds India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru and its first home minister Vallabhbhai Patel responsible for the country's partition in 1947. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
