Assam: Book's content on Godhra 'misleading about PM', FIR registered
An FIR has been registered against a well-known publishing house in Assam and three authors for content in the reference book for Class 12 students of Political Science. The last chapter of the book mentions Godhra incident of 2002, and the FIR accuses them of 'misguiding our upcoming students on our well-known Prime Minister'. The book blames the Narendra Modi-led government for the violence.
What's written in the book which stirred controversy?
The last chapter of the book titled 'Recent Issues and Challenges' has a sub-section 'Godhra Incident and Anti-Muslim Riot in Gujarat'. About the Godhra incident, the book reads 57 people were killed and riots followed as it was suspected Muslims were behind it. "This violence continued for over month and over thousand people were killed. Most of those killed were Muslims," the book reads.
Narendra Modi government was a silent spectator: Book
"Most of those killed were Muslims. Significantly, at the time of the violence, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government was a silent spectator. Moreover, there were allegations that the state administration helped the Hindus," the book reads, reports IE.
Complainants ask why clean chit to PM Modi wasn't mentioned
The paragraph has ruffled a few feathers and led to a police complaint. Complainants Saumitra Goswami and Manab Jyoti Bora said PM Modi was given clean chit on this issue on September 12, 2011, and asked why wasn't this mentioned in the book. They claimed the book 'is misguiding our upcoming students on our well-known Prime Minister', and accused authors/publication of dishonoring SIT report.
It is shocking and misleading, says complainant
"It's misleading and should be banned or taken off the market... We have registered the complaint as concerned citizens. On coming to know about the said part in the book, we were shocked and compelled to go to the police," Goswami said.
Book was written according to NCERT syllabus
The book was published by Assam Book Depot. The authors who have been booked are Durgakanta Sarma (who is now dead), Rafiq Zaman and Manash Pratim Baruah. All of them are renowned teachers. Notably, the book was first published in 2006, and one of the authors said it was written according to NCERT syllabus. FIR was registered under IPC Sections 153A, 505 and 34.
Meanwhile, depot's partner says there weren't intentions to hurt anyone
Kaustav Guha, the depot's partner, said the book was in its 12th-edition and copyright was with the authors. "We have no intention at all to hurt anyone's sentiments. We are open to suggestions to make any changes so as to not hurt anyone," he said.
