Statement from Oxford press on Shivaji book

Mumbai: Oxford University Press (OUP), which had first published the controversial book by US author James Laine on Chhatrapati Shivaji, has told Maharashtra government that it won't be publishing fresh copies of the book.

OUP India Managing Director, Manzar Khan, has written to the government, assuring that the publishing house won't be printing more copies of the book, Home Minister R R Patil said.

"OUP India has no intention of coming out with a fresh publication on Laine's book pursuant to the judgement of the Supreme Court," Khan said in the letter.

"It has never been the intention of OUP to hurt the sentiment of any section of our society," the letter said.