BJP demands withdrawal of AK Ramanujan's book

New Delhi, Feb 27 (UNI) Asking not to do anything that would hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community in the country, the BJP today demanded that the Centre to withdraw noted Kannada writer A K Ramanujan's book from the college syllabus as it contained 'obnoxious and atrocious' references concerning Lord Rama, Ravana and Sita.

BJP Parliamentary Party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the book titled Ancient Culture of India, a collection of essays of late Dr Ramanujan, had hurt the religious sentiments of the majority community.

"We are not seeking a ban on the book but it should not be taught in Delhi University as a subject for the students of History and should be withdrawn immediately," he said. The BJP did not object to the research aspect but the contents found in print were 'very very offensive' and nobody could tolerate it.

He said Delhi University was a Central University and it could not do anything that could be offensive to the religious sentiments.

He said Congress President Sonia Gandhi customarily witnessed Ram Lila episodes year after year and thousands of her partymen visited Hanuman temples but it would be hard to accept that the University's actions are hurting the religious sentiments that too by Dr Upendra Singh, Prime Minister's daughter working in the History Department.

The UPA government wanted Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen to apologise because she had offended the religious sentiments of Muslim protestors but the government did not hesitate to negate the very existance of Rama in its affidavit filed before the Supreme Court.

If the book is not withdrawn, the BJP would take the agitation to the streets, he said.

UMI MNC/KAS AKJ MSJ KP1840