Mayawati turns down BJP's demand to ban Periyar's book

Lucknow, Oct 26 (UNI) The political war of words on Periyar's book 'Sacchi Ramayan' continues in Uttar Pradesh with Chief Minister Mayawati turning down the demand of Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for ban on the book and asked them to go to the Centre if they desired.

'' Bahujan Samaj Party and the UP government both have nothing to do with the sale of the Periyar E V Ramaswamy's book and BJP is trying to make it an issue for their political motives,'' Ms Mayawati said here in a statement.

BJP legislature party leader Om Prakash Singh had said here yesterday that the book's Hindi translation 'Sachhi Ramayana' was being sold at the book stalls of the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). ''We did know that the book carried derogatory remarks against Lord Ram...the recent Hindi translation is available with us which has clarified our fears,'' he said.

Why were the BJP people silent on it when their government was at the Centre as well as in the state. ''Clearly, they have no other political issue and they are trying to raise this non-issue,'' she said.

BJP may approach the Centre for the ban on this book, which was written many years ago, Ms Mayawati said.

UNI