Oxford University Press India has issued an apology to Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, over 'unverified statements' made about the Maratha king in a book published over two decades ago. The apology addresses content in 'Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India' by James Laine, which sparked controversy and vandalism in 2004.
The Oxford Printing Press told the Bombay high court that it was ready to withdraw the objectionable portion from the publication.
The Oxford University Press, which had first published the controversial book by US author James Laine on Chhatrapati Shivaji, told the Maharashtra government on Monday that it won't be publishing fresh copies of the book.
Shiv Sena executive president Udhav Thackeray on Tuesday said the book Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India, written by James Laine, should be burnt if it was found anywhere in Maharashtra.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had quashed criminal proceedings against Laine.
The book, 'Shivaji, Hindu King in Muslim India', allegedly having derogatory comments on the Maratha king, has been at the centre of a controversy.
Addressing a public rally in Aurangabad late in the evening, in which he was termed as 'Hindu Jananayak', the MNS chief said if Uttar Pradesh government could remove the loudspeakers, what was stopping the Maharashtra government, led by his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray, from doing so.
The reasons cited for banning the book, published by Orient Longman, include "possible threat to law and order situation and social stability," official sources said.
Even with the Bombay high court lifting the ban imposed on the book by the state government, publishers and booksellers still seem a bit apprehensive about keeping the title on the racks.
The development came as the Thackeray-led party is reeling under the impact of Eknath Shinde's rebellion and the loss of power in Maharashtra.
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