Periyar's book rocks UP Legislature

LUCKNOW: The alleged distribution of dalit icon Periyar Ramaswamy's book "True Ramayana" on Monday rocked both Houses of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature with the entire Opposition vociferously demanding a ban on its sale.
     
Both the Vidhan Sabha and the Vidhan Parishad were adjourned for an hour and 15 minutes respectively as the Opposition demanded an immediate discussion on the matter.
     
Amidst BJP boycott in the state assembly, the Mayawati government categorically denied that the book, allegedly containing objectionable references to Hindu Gods, was on sale in the state.
      
As soon as the the assembly met for the day, BJP member Om Prakash Singh raised the issue and demanded suspension of the business to discuss the matter.
     
Singh was supported by Leader of the Opposition Mulayam Singh Yadav who alleged there was a conspiracy to destroy the Indian culture.
      
As the din continued, Speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar adjourned the House for an hour.
     
When the House met again for Zero Hour, Samajwadi Party, Congress and BJP members persisted with their demand.
     
Singh alleged the book contained objections references to Hindu Gods and was on sale in the state capital.
     
"There appears to be a conspiracy to glorify Ravana," he said.
      
Launching an attack on Chief Minister and BSP supreme Mayawati, Yadav charged her with denigrating Mahatma Gandhi.
      
Congress leader Pramod Tewari said the sale and distribution of such a "poisonous literature can divide society and fuel unrest".
     
Charging the BJP with doublespeak, Tewari claimed when he had raised the issue of installation of Periyar's statue in Lucknow in 1995 during the BSP regime, the saffron party had tried to silence him.
     
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Lalji Verma rejected the opposition charge that the book was on sale in the state.
     
"The government is determined to ensure that social amity and harmony is maintained at all cost," he said adding "unlike the BJP, it is not our political mission to divide society".
      
Verma said the book, as claimed by the Opposition, had been printed in Delhi where the Congress was in power.
      
It should have been banned there, he added.
      
As the Speaker rejected notices for immediate discussion, the BJP members staged a walkout.
     
In the Vidhan Parishad, Opposition members demanded a ban on the book saying its contents denigrated Hindu Gods and could trigger caste conflict.
    
The House was adjourned for 15 minutes following uproar by the Opposition which pressed for an immediate discussion on the matter.