Indian state bans controversial book on Gandhi

Indian state bans controversial book on Gandhi

2011-03-31 03:08:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

GANDHINAGAR, INDIA (BNO NEWS) -- The government of India's western state of Gujarat on Wednesday banned a new book about Mahatma Gandhi by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joseph Lelyveld, Press Trust of India reported.

The controversial book "Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India" reportedly suggests that Gandhi was bisexual. According to reviewers, the book hints he had a homosexual relationship with German architect of Jewish descent, Hermann Kallenbach.

The state assembly in Gujarat, where Gandhi was born, voted unanimously to ban the book. Sale, distribution, publication, and broadcast of the book have been banned in the state with immediate effect.

"This attempt to defame Mahatma Gandhi by the publisher has come under severe criticism not only in Gujarat but from all corners of India," Chief Minister Narendra Modi said.

"Mahatma Gandhi is an idol not only in India but in the entire world. While his life -- dedicated to the welfare of the mankind -- has been an inspiration, the author has hurt the sentiments of scores of people," he added.

Meanwhile, in a column for the Hindustan Times, Ghandhi's grandson Rajmohan rejected the ban.

"Gandhi, least interested in self-protection, is best protected by the strength of his own words and the wordlessness of his own strength," he said.

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