On Tuesday, the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, stated that the Kerala Story book is not against any community and banning it won’t serve any purpose. This comes after the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) demanded a ban on the book for allegedly promoting communist ideologies and containing “anti-national” content.
Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “I read only a portion of the book, and I did not find anything anti-national or anti-social. I find that it is just a history book and has been written after proper research and facts.” The Kerala Story, written by journalist Ravi Menon, traces the state’s political journey from the pre-Independence era to the present day.
The ABVP, the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), had also demanded the arrest of the publisher and the writer of the book. However, Himanta Biswa Sarma dismissed these demands, stating that the matter is for the legal authorities to decide.
He added, “There is no need to ban the book just because some people have a difference of opinion. It is not in the interest of democracy. Our party and government stand by the freedom of expression.”
The Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, also spoke out against the demand for a ban on the book, stating that it was an attempt to “impose fascist values”. He said that the book was written after extensive research and was in line with the state’s secular and democratic character.
The Kerala Story was published in 2019 and was widely acclaimed for its comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of the state’s political history. The book has been praised for its meticulous research and for shedding light on lesser-known aspects of Kerala’s political journey.
In conclusion, the demand for a ban on The Kerala Story book has been dismissed by the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan. They have both stated that the book is not against any community or the nation and that it is a history book written after proper research and facts. The book has been praised for its comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of Kerala’s political history and is a valuable addition to the discourse on the state’s evolution over the years.