A local court in Bengaluru has stayed the sale and distribution of Kannada book ‘Tippu Nija Kanasugalu,’ based on the life of Tipu Sultan, ruler of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom, for hurting the sentiments of Muslims.
The order was passed on Monday by Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge J.R. Mendonca on a suit filed by former Chairman of the District Wakf Board Committee, Rafiulla B.S.
The plaintiff had claimed that the book portrayed history in an incorrect manner and that ‘Azan,’ a religious practice of the Muslim community, was extracted in the book wrongly in order to hurt the feelings of the Muslim community.
The court observed that if the contents of the book were found to be false and if the same were distributed, it would cause irreparable loss to the plaintiff and there were chances of breach of communal peace and harmony also.
It further said that there was a danger to public peace, besides noting that the purpose of the application would be defeated, in case the book was circulated before the pending appearance of defendants in the case.
The Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, while noting that controversial books would sell like hot-cakes, granted injunction against its sale and publication.
As per the plaintiff, the book contained wrong information without any historical support or justification. He stated that the book did not reveal the source from where the author got the information.
It was also contended that the author published the book without any knowledge about the history and based on his own interpretation of facts.
It was further submitted that the incorrect portrayal of ‘Azan’ and the use of the word ‘turukaru’, which is a derogatory remark against the Muslim community, could cause unrest and communal disharmony.
The Court noted that the book in its foreword and preface has claimed that it contained the correct version of history and that the contents of actual historical books and what was being taught as history in schools, was false.
Stating that this would entitle the plaintiff for interim relief in the case, the court restrained defendants Addanda C. Cariappa, Ayodhya Publication and Rashtrotthana Mudranalaya from selling or distributing the book even via online medium.
The court directed the respondents to prove during trial as to what was actually written in the history and text books about Tipu Sultan were not correct facts and what was written in the play was based on true history to unveil the true nature of the ruler of the erstwhile Mysuru kingdom.
However, it said that the defendants were at liberty to print the book at their own risk and also store the books already printed. The plaintiff was represented by Advocate Vikyath B.