By IANS,
Bharatpur (Rajasthan) : The Rajasthan government has issued notice to author Raghuraj Singh seeking his reply over the ban proposed on his controversial book “Bharatpur Rajvansh – Achhooti Smritiyan”, an official said Sunday.
District Collector Krishna Kunal Sunday issued a notice to Raghuraj Singh and the publisher seeking an explanation within 24 hours as to why a ban should not be imposed on his book, which allegedly contains objectionable material.
“A local politician Rajveer Singh had submitted a complaint in writing seeking ban on the book,” a senior administrative official told IANS.
The controversy over the book had led to a violent protest by supporters of former MP and erstwhile royal Vishwendra Singh in Bharatpur district and subsequent firing at them at Hotel Laxmi Vilas owned by Vishwendra?s uncle and book writer Raghuraj Singh Thursday morning.
Seven protesters sustained injuries while Vishwendra and his wife Divya Singh escaped unhurt. The supporters alleged that the book has some derogatory remarks against Vishwendra and his family.
Witnesses told the police that the supporters damaged the reception area of the hotel and set ablaze some furniture.
An official said that the author and the publisher have been told that an independent decision would be taken if the reply did not come by Monday.
Among the many controversial parts, the book claims that Bharatpur estate borrowed a huge sum of money to buy uniforms for the army during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Kishan Singh and did not return this. This was strongly protested by Vishwendra, who claimed that the money was meant for flood relief work and was returned.
Vishwendra also raised objection over some personal letters being published in the book, claiming that it amounted to breach of privacy.
He called for a community meeting to discuss the issue in Kumher area of the district, some 175 km from state capital Jaipur.