Mumbai:
Close on the heels of the Supreme Court lifting the ban on James Laine's controversial book on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Maharashtra government has set up a three-member committee to explore legal options to stop its printing and circulation in the state.
"At no cost, there should be printing and circulation of the book in the state," Chief Minister Ashok Chavan told reporters.
The apex court had on July 9 rejected Maharashtra Government's plea to ban the book titled 'Shivaji-The Hindu King in Muslim India', clearing the way for its publication and circulation.
The Supreme Court had upheld the decision of the Bombay High Court to lift the ban on the book. The State government had contended that the book contained material promoting social enmity.
Chavan said his government shared the strong sentiments of the people of the state over the "objectionable" references made to the legendary Maratha king in the book.
Home Minister R R Patil said the state government would write to the Centre recommending a stringent Act to stop defamatory writings against iconic figures.
"Since, the apex court has given its verdict of lifting of the ban, the state has decided to proceed legally in this matter. The committee comprising Advocate General, Law Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Home will explore legal options and advise the government accordingly," Chavan said.
Patil said the committee will give its views on the matter in two days. "The Centre has to enact such legislation. The state government would write to the Centre recommending a stringent act," he added.
On whether action will be taken against historians in the state especially in Pune for providing defamatory information about Chhatrapati Shivaji, Patil said police had questioned the historians mentioned in the book by Laine and all of them had categorically denied that they had provided any such information.
Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and various other organisations have said that they shall not allow anybody to sell the book in the state.