Mayawati writes to PM, demands ban on history book

Lucknow, Feb 2 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati today shot off a letter to the Prime Minister seeking a ban on a book which reportedly portrays Lord Ram and Sita in a bad light.

It came close on the heels of the UP CM upsetting Congressmen following her action of suspending four officials on the issue of a publication of a book on Sultanpur.

Raking up another issue related to a book ''Culture in Ancient India' which is in the syllabus of Delhi University and allegedly has some objectionable contents with regards to Hindu sentiments, she said ''There had been protests in many parts of the state on the book... I have written to Dr Manmohan Singh seeking an immediate ban on the book as no one has the right to distort history.'' Ms Maywati told reporters here her that party was with the protestors.

''But at the same time I must mention it that no one has the right to take law in ones hand,'' she added.

She also asked the PM to warn authors against distorting historical facts and playing with the sentiments of the people.

Welcoming the move, BJP state unit vice-president Hriday Narain Dikshit said it was time the Chief Minister also banned Periyar's 'True Ramayana'. ''Why have double standards. While seeking a ban on one book, she should seek a ban on the other book as well, as it also portrays Lord Ram in a bad light,'' he added.

According to a web portal, the chapter 'Three hundred Ramayanas' written by A K Ramanujan in Readings for Concurent Course, Culture in Ancient India as compiled by Dr Upinder Singh, Department of History, Delhi University (BA Hons. second year) has denigrated Ram, Hanuman, Lakshman and Sita and projected the entire episode as false.

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