[Salman Khurshid book on Hindutva] "If you don't agree with author, don't read it:" Delhi High Court rejects plea to ban book

The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed the petition seeking a ban on publication, circulation, sale and purchase of the new book of former Law Minister Salman Khurshid's new book 'Sunrise Over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times' where he allegedly compared Hindutva with Islamic State and Boko Haram (Vineet Jindal v Salman Khurshid and Ors).

Justice Yashwant Verma heard the matter and remarked that if people don't like the book they have the option to not buy it.

"If you don't agree with the author, don't read it. Please tell people book is badly authored, read something better," he remarked.

Advocate Raj Kishore Chaudhary, appearing for the petitioner, tried to argue that book will create communal tensions across the country and already there have been incidents of violence because of the book.

"Even the author's home in Nainital has been damaged... Though there have not been any significant incident yet but it is likely to happen," Chaudhary submitted.

He added that the right to freedom of speech under Article 19 is not absolute and reasonable restrictions have been put on this right to prevent breach of peace.

"I am asking for this part to be removed. Communal riots start like this. At least notice should be issued," Chaudhary requested.

The bench however said that the restrictions have to be put by the government and in this case, the government has not done anything.

Responding to Chaudhary's contention that Khurshid is a public figure and he should be careful to maintain peace, Justice Varma said that the court cannot do anything if people are feeling hurt.

"What can we do if people are feeling this. If they didn't like the passage they can skip the chapter. They could have shut their eyes if they are feeling hurt."

Justice Verma asked Chaudhary if he had any other contention and dismissed the petition.

The petition had been filed by Delhi-based lawyer Vineet Jindal through Choudhary.

The petition argued that Khurshid is a Member of Parliament and former Law Minister of the country with a large influence. Therefore, the statement made in the book will agitate the Hindu community. This in turn will threaten the security, peace and harmony in the country and has the potential to disrupt public order, the plea stated.

The controversial paragraph of the book, which has been reproduced in the petition, reads,

“Sanatan dharma and classical Hinduism known to sages and saints was being pushed aside by a robust version of Hindutva, by all standards a political version similar to jihadist Islam of groups likes ISIS and Boko Haram of recent years.”