New Delhi, August 20
Expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh today found support from unexpected quarters, with the CPI demanding the withdrawal of the ban imposed on his book by the Gujarat government.

Clinching the first opportunity to run down the RSS, the CPI in its central secretariat statement today said the decision of Gujarat CM Narendra Modi to ban Jaswant’s book “Jinnah- India, Partition, Independence” reflected intolerance to the non-RSS ideas.

“It is an undemocratic decision. Even, we may not agree with the views put forth by Jaswant in his book. In fact, there is nothing common between him and us. But, he has every right to express his views,” the CPI said, adding that the political opinion of any party should not reflect in the state policy.

Interestingly, the CPI had no objection to the BJP expelling Jaswant. “In doing so, the BJP exercised its right,” said the CPI, adding, “However, the party’s state governments have no right to ban the books they do not like.”

Taking a dig at the RSS, the communists further regretted that whether or not Jinnah caused the division of India, he had certainly caused the division of the BJP five decades after his death. “It is a pity that the shadow of the RSS is covering the BJP like an eclipse after its humiliating defeat in the recent elections,” the CPI said.