In anticipation of a political storm over the lifting of the ban on James Laine�s controversial book on Shivaji, chief minister (CM) Ashok Chavan on Sunday chose to defy the Supreme Court (SC) by announcing a ban on the sale of the book in the state. The SC last week upheld the Bombay high court�s decision to lift the ban on the book Shivaji: Hindu King in Muslim India.
The decision comes in the wake of political and public protests across the state and a day before the beginning of a potentially rough assembly session. �I would like to make it very clear that my sentiments cannot be different from those of my people in Maharashtra� As an administrator, it is also my responsibility to ensure that the law and order situation is not disturbed,�� Chavan said, adding he cannot allow any promotion or selling of the book in the state.
Sensing the backlash such a decision would invite across the country, the CM has constituted a four-member high-level committee to ascertain various options to challenge the SC decision. The committee, comprising the secretary of the law and judiciary department, and the state�s advocate-general, additional chief secretary (home) and chief secretary, will study the issue and present its report to the government.