New Delhi, September 01: Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to Gujarat government on a petition filed by Jaswant Singh challenging banning on his book on Pakistan founder Md Ali Jinnah.
A bench of Justice Altmas Kabir and Justice Cyriac Joseph while issuing the notice to the Gujarat government decided to hear Singh’s lawsuit Sep 8.
The apex court has asked the Gujarat government to explain the basis on which it imposed the ban.
The Gujarat government had banned Jaswant Singh’s controversial book on Jinnah alleging it defamed former Home Minister of India Sardar Patel.
“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 said.
“It is a bid to defame Patel by distorting historical facts,” it charged.
“So, the state government has decided to ban the book with immediate effect for wider public interest,” it said.
“As per the ban, there cannot be sale, distribution or publication of the book in the state,” it said.
“The book has been banned because it contains defamatory references regarding Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who is considered as the architect of the modern India,” a senior minister in the state government had said.
The ban on Jaswant’s book came after he was expelled from the party.
–Agencies