New Delhi: In a quick reversal of its decision, the Human Resource Development Ministry today (July 9, 2004) lifted the ban on printing of Tamil classic "Thirukural" and "Vedanta", a book by senior Congress leader Karan Singh.

However, the ban on printing of "Aaj Ki Shikshak", a book written by outgoing controversial NCERT Director J S Rajput, who was considered close to former HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, would remain, HRD ministry sources said.

The withdrawal of ban on Thirukural came after Union Minister and DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) leader Dayanidhi Maran had a meeting with HRD Minister Arjun Singh in this regard. Maran is understood to have conveyed to Singh that the action against Thirukural hurt the sentiments of not only people of Tamil Nadu but all lovers of classical Indian literature.

Printing of an English translation of Thirukural, the two-millennium old Tamil classic, and Singh's "Vedanta" were banned as they were linked to the "saffronisation" drive of the previous BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led Government.

The inclusion of Thirukural in the list of "suspect saffron" books had raised many an eye-brows as this book has sold more copies than any other Tamil book. It is regarded more as a spiritual guide than a religious book.