Kapurthala, June 8
The city remained tense today as several protesters belonging to the Valmiki community forced the shopkeepers to close their commercial establishments in protest against some derogatory remarks against Bhagwan Valmiki written in a Hindi book.
The police used mild lathi charge to disperse the protesters wielding swords and lathis at Sat Narain Bazaar when they were forcing the shopkeepers to close their shops. Most of the shopkeepers preferred to close their shops due to fear.
Written by a Delhi Public School (DPS) teacher, Munisha Sharma, the Hindi book “Parag” was being used by the management of the local Sacred Heart School for the students of the VIIth standard during this academic session.
The Balmiks objected to the book reportedly containing derogatory remarks against Bhagwan Valmiki. Police personnel were deployed in a large number outside the school located on the Kapurthala-Kanjali road near Amritsar octroi post to avoid any untoward incident.
However later in the day, the state government banned the book following the recommendations by the district administration. An FIR was registered against the writer, Munisha Sharma, under Section 295 of the IPC.
Earlier, Valmiks formed an action committee and lodged a complaint with the district administration on May 23 demanding ban on the book and registration of case against the writer, publisher, printer, school Principal and the Chairman of the school.
President of the action committee Charanjit Hans and Balmik Majhbi Sikh Morcha president Mohinder Singh Hamira alleged that the administration had not taken any action against anyone despite their complaint.
The action committee had given a call to gherao the office of the Deputy Commissioner today. They sat on a dharna in front of the office at the district courts complex and raised slogans against the government demanding the immediate arrest of all “accused”.
SDM Anupam Kler and SP (D) Sukhwinder Singh pacified the protesters and arranged a meeting with the DC, Raj Kamal Chaudhary. The DC assured the protesters that the “accused” would be arrested within two days. Following which, they agreed to call off their agitation.
The DC told mediapersons that he had deputed SDM Anupam Kler to conduct an inquiry into the matter after receiving complaint in this regard. A four-member committee, headed by the SDM, found some words objectionable and recommended ban on the book. The DC forwarded the inquiry report to the Principal Secretary (Home), N.S. Kang, to ban the book.
On the other hand, a representative of Sacred Heart School said the school management had immediately withdrawn the book when it came to know about the objectionable words.
