Tuesday, April 5 2005 22:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Justifying its move to ban sections of controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen's book the West Bengal Government today (April 5, 2005) claimed in the Calcutta High Court that the language in the portions was extremely abusive.

Appearing for the State, Advocate General Balai Roy stated before a three-judge special bench comprising Justice D K Seth, Justice A Basu and Justice S Pal that words used in the banned pages of the book, 'Dwikhandito' (Split in two) was deliberate and malicious, insulted Islam and was against the sentiments of Muslims.

He submitted that it was not just the words that had been written, but also the manner in which it was written that mattered.

He refuted the submission by the petitioner that the book was based on historical interpretations saying that in that case the writer should have given those references, which were missing.

Earlier, concluding his argument against the ban, petitioner's lawyer Joymalya Bagchi submitted that the writings were based on historical interpretations.

He submitted that history, even if unpalatable, could not be removed due to societal considerations.

Bagchi stated that the writing in the banned pages should be seen in the total context of the book and not in an isolated manner, adding that it was not an insult to any religion.

Bagchi claimed that the ban on pages 49-50 of the book was malafide and illegal and as such it should be revoked.

Sujato Bhadra, a civil rights activist, had moved the high court seeking to set aside the ban claiming that it was for readers to judge whether contents of the book was good or bad or whether it offended the sentiments of the followers of any religion.

Taslima, who had been regularly attending the proceedings of the case, was not present in the court.

The police, however, had made heavy security arrangements in and around the high court fearing that Nasreen might arrive prompting agitations like the previous day's hearing.

Some pro-Taslima and anti-Taslima organisations had held demonstrations outside the high court building on the earlier date of hearing.

Hearing in the case would continue.