The Gujarat High Court on Friday struck down the ban the BJP- run Gujarat government had imposed on expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh’s book.
It set aside the notification issued by the government banning Singh’s Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence and observed the government seem to have taken the step without reading the book.
“I’m thrilled and feel vindicated,” said Singh, who was expelled from the BJP for writing it.
Chief Minister Narendra Modi had banned the book the very day, August 19, on which Singh was expelled, claiming it made derogatory references to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, which could disturb public tranquility in the state.
“The ban amounts to serious inroads into fundamental rights,” the court observed. It pointed out the notification was silent on how the book would disturb peace. Nor could the government’s counsel explain it.
But the Gujarat government seemed unwilling to give up. “The order does not stop us from bringing a fresh notification if we want to,” said Jaynarayan Vyas, state government spokesman.