URGENT MATTERS

Dear ALL this matter requires urgent action on our part So please get active, oppose this move and send letters to Central/state govt. we are doing so soon

Punjab bans rationalist literature

Submitted by admin on 22 March, 2008 - 09:57.

In a shocking affront to freedom of expression, the Government of Punjab, India, has banned four rationalist books and threatened legal action against the authors and translators, Tarksheel Society of Punjab reports. The supposed grounds for the ban is that the books are "incorrect literature" about Hindu deities.

---

Dear friends,

There is something, we want to bring to your attention.

In whichever states in India, Bhartiya Janta Party (backed by Right-wing Hindu fundamentalist organisations – Vishva Hindu Parishad and Rashitriya Swayam Sevak Sangh) or their allies are in power, there has been a common practise of attempting to crush the voices of dissent and rational thought, of banning the literature, documentary films, silencing the writers and journalists through state machinery.

Punjab, a north Indian state, is the most recent example of this undemocratic, fascist and dictatorial act. And Megh Raj Mitter, founder of Tarksheel (Rationalist) Society and a prominent Punjabi writer (honoured with the title of Shiromani Lekhak, Punjab state's highest award for writers) is the latest to bear the brunt.

On Thursday afternoon, Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal (leader of Shiromani Akali Dal, a party supported by the BJP), imposed an "immediate ban" on four books, including Sri Lankan Dr Abraham T. Kovoor's renowned 'God, Demons and Spirits', translated into Punjabi by Megh Raj Mitter and his associates in 1985. And Punjab Government is said to be gearing up to take the legal course of action (like arresting the authors, confiscating the copies of books and banning the publication) as well.

Unfortunately, the Punjab government has forgotten the vital role these books have played in the development of rational temperament among the masses of Punjab. Ironically, about two decades back, with a written letter the state government had recommended these books for the libraries of the government run schools for the scientific knowledge they imparted. Also, when Mitter was awarded the Shiromani Lekhak Award by the Language Department of Punjab government in 2001, the citation of the award ceremony prominently hailed these very books.

Today, fundamentalist forces, partonised the by the government, are threatening to attack Megh Raj Mitter and other rationalist activists. A few rationalist activists were even attacked in the last few days.

Thus, through this letter we appeal all the humanist, democratic, rationalist and secular people to come forward to defend the right of freedom of speech and expression.

It is not just a question of a few individuals or organisations, but also a matter of protecting the shrinking democratic space in the India.

We appeal you to condemn this heinous act at every possible level. Kindly forward this letter to as many people as you can, write an appeal to President, Prime Minister of India, CM Punjab and Governor of Punjab.

Regards

Surjit Talwar
(Editor, Tarkbodh)

For any queries you can contact on our Web site : www.tarksheel.com

Dear friend,

Please e-mail this letter to the Chief Minister of Punjab Prakashsing Badal & to the honorable Prime Minister of India, both separately. I have given their respective e-mail addresses.

Please use cut-Paste to send e-mail

--------------------------use (for cut) ctrl+c and (for past)ctrl+v --------------------------

E-mail-Address of C.M.Punjab. cs@punjabmail.gov.in

To,

The Honorable Chief Minister,

Shree Prakashsinh Badal.

State Sachivalaya.Chandigadh,

Punjab. India.

Sub-With Ref-to your action-banning Rationalist Literature in your State.

Particularly banning the book written by Dr.Abhram T Kavoor-“GOD-DEMONS &SPIRITS.’

Respected Sir,

I the undersigned is the free citizen of India humbly request your honorable office to lift the ban which has been imposed on the Rationalist Literature including the book written by Dr Abrams Kavoor namely God –Demons & Spirits..

Sir,

Ours is a free country & we know that rationalist people just try to develop scientific attitude in the society. May I remind you sir that Article 51-H of the constitution expects from the citizen to develop scientific attitude. Your honorable office tries to reverse it.

Please lift the ban on the same & oblige.

Yours Faithfully

(your name)

--------------------------use (for cut) ctrl+c and (for past)ctrl+v --------------------------

Prime Minister of India,Manmohansingjee http://pmindia.nic.in/write.htm

To,

The Honorable Prime Minister of India,

Manmohansingjee,

The Prime Minister Office,

New Delhi.India.

Sub-With Ref-to the Punjab Government Decision to ban Rationalist Literature in the state of Punjab&

Particularly banning the book written by Dr.Abhram T Kavoor-“GOD-DEMONS &SPIRITS.’

Respected Sir,

I the undersigned is the free citizen of India .I humbly request your honorable office to use your reasonable influence & request the Gov’t of Punjab to lift the ban which has been imposed on the Rationalist Literature including the book written by Dr Abrams Kavoor namely God –Demons & Spirits on 27^th of March-08.

Ours is a free country & we know that rationalist people just try to develop scientific attitude in the society. May I humbly remind you, Sir, that Article 51-H of our constitution expects from the citizen to develop scientific attitude. The Punjab Gov’t under the Chief Minister ship of P . Badal office tries to reverse it.

Please I humbly request your good office to say a few words to the Badal Government of Punjab State to lift the ban on the same & oblige.

Yours Faithfully

(your name)

2 Comments -
WritePostCollapsor();

Show Original Post
WriteCommentsCollapsor();

Collapse comments

Narinder Kumar said...
LOK MORCHA PUNJAB

27349, Mohalla Hari Nagar,

Lal Singh Basti Road,

Bathinda

E-Mail: nkjeetbti@gmail.com

Ref. No. ………………………. Dated: 12.5.07.ToSh.

Parkash Singh Badal,

Chief Minister, Punjab,

Chandigarh.

Subject: REPRESENTATION AGAINST IMPOSING BAN ON LITERATURE PUBLISHED BY RATIONALIST SOCIETY,PUNJAB.

Sir,

1. We have been extremely shocked to learn about Punjab Govt’s move to impose ban on 4 books published in Punjabi by the Rationalist Societies of Punjab, titled ‘DEV PURSH HAR GAYE’, ‘DEV DAINT ATE RUHAN’, ’TARAKBANI’ and ‘ ANDHVISHWAS MURDABAD’. This move is a direct attack on the freedom of expression so pompously enshrined in the Constitution of India, and is violative of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

2. It seems that the Punjab Govt has been misguided and misinformed by some disgruntled Hindu obscurantist organizations, about the contents of these books to settle their petty personal scores. It has been alleged by some BJP & Hindu Shiv Sena leaders that these books contain some derogatory remarks about Hindu gods & deities, which is not correct. There is nothing like that in these books. The authors have explained the historical events, writings and phenomenon from rationalist angle.

3. It has to be borne in mind that the first two books, namely ‘DEV PURSH HAR GAYE’, and ‘DEV DAINT ATE RUHAN’ have been authored by the renowned rationalist thinker and activist of Sri Lanka- Abraham T. Kavoor. These books have been published by reputed publisher ‘Jaico Publishing House’ Bombay in English under the titles ‘Begone God men’ and ‘Gods, Demons & Spirits’ since 1976, and have been translated in many Indian & foreign languages. Millions of copies of these books have been sold throughout the world.

4. Similarly the book ‘Tarakbani’ is authored by Sh. Megh Raj Mittar, who has been awarded ‘Shiromani Lekhak Award’ by the Language Deptt of Punjab in the year 2001. In the citation of the award these books have been prominently hailed.

5. These books have been approved by various departments of Punjab Govt such as Education Deptt, and are provided in the libraries of the schools and colleges.

6. The present move by the Punjab Govt strikes at the root of the constitutional provisions, which proclaim that the state shall endeavor to imbibe scientific temperament and outlook amongst the citizens of the country. India is not a theocratic state and the atheists also have the right to propound their views. All right thinking people have resented this move. It has rightly drawn severe condemnation from a large number of mass organizations.

7. It is clear from the above that the proposal to ban the rationalist books is illegal, undemocratic, authoritarian and strikes at the roots of freedom of expression. In view of this you are requested to kindly rethink over the matter and drop the proposal to impose ban on the above said books.We shall be highly obliged to have a positive response.

Yours Sincerely,

(N.K.JEET)

AdvocatePresidentLok Morcha PunjabDistt Courts, Bathinda
Monday, May 12, 2008 1:17:00 PM