Singh moves SC against Gujarat govt on book ban

Singh and the publisher of his book Rupa Co have said banning the book violates the author’s freedom of expression.

“It is submitted that this petition ought to be entertained especially since it involves a matter as important as fundamental right of speech and expression,” said the petition.

Singh, who was expelled from the BJP two days after the book’s publication, has compared the Gujarat government's action to that of the Islamic states which banned Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses.

“The contents of the book are based upon documented historical records and as such assist the discovery of truth,” said Singh in the petition.

The former minister of finance, defence and external affairs has mentioned in his book that Pakistan’s founder Jinnah has been unfairly demonised in India. He has also been critical of the role played by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first home minister, during the partition.

Just a day after Singh's expulsion from the BJP, the Narendra Modi government in Gujarat banned his book saying that no adverse views against Sardar Patel will be tolerated in his home state.