Some censored books in recent times
Hiya Mitra
by Pexels
Books have
always been a key source of knowledge. In India, books are called ‘vidya’
and given immense respect. We treat them as equals of the holy relics we swear
our faith to. However, humans decided to take advantage of this unspoken
invincibility of our only source of knowledge and made their own attempts at
rewriting factual history. To counter this malpractice, the rule of censorship
was implemented. The first recorded censorship in India dates back to British
India. But the Monarch primarily implemented them to suppress political dissent
and maintain control. India inherited many of the colonial-era censorship laws
after gaining independence in 1947. These laws were adapted and used by the
Indian government to address various concerns, including national security,
public order, and social sensitivities. Concerns about religious sensitivities,
political criticism, and social morality have often driven censorship
decisions. The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression,
but it also allows for "reasonable restrictions" on this right.
Laws like
Section 97 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita give the government power
to ban books deemed to promote enmity between groups. The Indian Penal Code
also addresses obscenity and related offenses. The Customs Act allows for the
prohibition of book imports. In addition to formal government bans, there's a
growing trend of "informal censorship" through protests, threats, and
pressure on publishers and booksellers. This "mob censorship" can be
highly effective in suppressing certain books, even without official bans.
Pic courtesy Kitab.org
"The
Adivasi Will Not Dance: Stories" is a collection of short stories by
Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, which explores the lives of Adivasi (indigenous)
people, particularly the Santhal community in Jharkhand, India. It addresses
issues like poverty, displacement, exploitation, and the clash between
traditional and modern life, especially of those who have been forced to mine
coal ore. It also deals with the condition of women in these communities,
pressured by the patriarchy and forced to sex work for income. It has received
critical acclaim and was nominated for The Hindu Literary Prize. It has been
recognized as an important contribution to post-Independence Indian literature.
The book has generated controversy and was at one point banned by the Jharkhand
government, with criticisms regarding its portrayal of Adivasi culture.
This lead
to wide spread discussions regarding freedom of speech, and the rights of
authors.
Pic courtesy Amazon.in
"Split:
A Life" is the second volume of Taslima Nasrin's autobiography. It details
the period of Nasrin's life when she faced intense persecution after becoming a
target of the fundamentalists due to her writings, particularly her novel
"Lajja" (Shame). It covers her experiences in hiding, the threats she
received, and the political and religious backlash against her. It explores her
struggles with identity, freedom of expression, and the challenges of being a
female writer and doctor in a conservative society. It gives insight into the
political and religious tensions of the time period in Bangladesh, and India.
It explores themes such as freedom of speech, religious fundamentalism, women's
rights, exile and displacement, personal and political identity. It is an
important document regarding the fight for secularism, and women’s rights in
South Asia. The Khilafat Committee filed a defamation case against her for this
book.
Pic courtesy The New York Times
"One
Part Woman" is a novel by Indian author Perumal Murugan which explores the
pressures faced by a childless couple, Kali and Ponna, in rural Tamil Nadu. It
delves into themes of societal expectations, particularly regarding fertility
and marriage. It addresses the complexities of gender roles and the desperation
to conform to social norms. The book also touches on topics of religious
customs and how they intersect with personal desires. "One Part
Woman" sparked significant controversy, particularly in India, due to its
depiction of certain cultural and religious practices. Certain caste-based and
religious groups, particularly the Kongu Vellalar Gounder community (to which
the author belongs), found the depiction of the festival offensive and
culturally inaccurate. This controversy led to protests and even threats
against the author, causing Perumal Murugan to declare that he was giving up
writing. The controversy raised important questions about freedom of expression
and the role of literature in addressing sensitive social issues. The Chennai
High Court eventually ruled in favor of the book, defending the authors right
to write. The event caused a large discussion about the pressures that writers
face in India.
Pic courtesy Amazon.in
"Korkai"
is a notable Tamil novel written by R. N. Joe D'Cruz delves into the lives of
the Parathavar fishing community in Tamil Nadu. It particularly focuses on the
historical context of the ancient port city of Korkai, which was once a prominent
trade center. The narrative spans a significant period, portraying the changes
experienced by the community through various historical events, including the
British colonial era, the arrival of Christianity, the independence struggle,
and the transformations of modern India. It gives a detailed account of the
changes that the seafaring community faced during the 20th century.
"Korkai" is recognized for its in-depth portrayal of the community's
history and culture. It has received critical acclaim, notably winning the
Sahitya Akademi Award in 2013. The book is considered a valuable historical and
literary work that captures the essence of a specific community and its
evolution. It is known for its large size, and for the large time span that the
book covers. The controversy arose from allegations that the book portrays
fisherwomen in an objectionable manner, suggesting promiscuity. Complaints also
included claims that the book negatively portrays Christianity, fishermen,
priests, and nuns. A legal case was filed, with accusations of defamation.
The
complainant, a leader of a fishermen's association, argued that the book
presented a distorted and harmful image of the community. Joe D'Cruz, who
himself belongs to the fishing community, defended his work, asserting that it
provides a realistic depiction of their lives. He argued that the book brings
attention to the struggles of his community. He has stated that the complaints
come from those who do not want the truth to be told. The controversy also
became entangled with the author's political views, which differed from many in
Tamil literary circles.
Currently, many readers have come
forward and defended the content of books. This time it is not the authors
standing alone, but an entire army of readers who have educated themselves on
the topics mentioned. They are ready to raise their voices against those who
try to suppress the text of reason of relevance with the agenda of educating
the ignorant.
