Marwaris irked by remarks

Friday, August 1 1997

Marwaris irked by remarks

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

Nagpur, July 31: Shantilal Gandhi, organising secretary of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Sevadal and former president of the Oswal Panchayat Samaj, has taken strong objection to the insulting remarks on the Marwari community in the book, Indian Penal Code and Police Practice by R K Bais, a lecturer at Symbiosis Law College and A R Bais.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Gandhi demanded the banning of the book which has termed Marwaris as "Chikku Marwari".

Gandhi regretted the fact that the controversial book has been praised by eminent personalities like former justice of the Mumbai High Court - B N Deshmukh, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra - Vasantrao Naik, V Gadgil, former commissioner of police V G Kanetkar, Commissioner of Police, Poona Ranga Raju. Newspapers like Loksatta, Navakal and Ravivar Prabhat, have also given the book good reviews and have ignored the abuse of the Marwaris. ``How can a book be praised when it insults a particular community,'' asks Gandhi.

Referring to the objectionable item in the book, Gandhi said the definition of Act 402 printed on page 150 has hurt the sentiments of Marwaris. The five reasons given for dacoities in villages are: revenge, enmity caused due to women, youth violence, professional purpose and the unpopular rich chikku Marwadi'.

According to Gandhi it is not necessary that dacoity would occur at the homes of Marwaris only. Even more objectionable is the use of the term chikku (miser) for the community. Marwaris have contributed greatly to the freedom struggle and have also donated generously for the welfare of the country. The book therefore, lowers the prestige of the entire community because of its insensitivity, claims Gandhi.

Gandhi demanded a revision of all books on the Penal Code where Marwaris have been shown in a bad light. He has urged Chief Minister Manohar Joshi and Deputy Chief Minsiter Gopinath Munde to immediately ban the book. He has also demanded action against the writers, publishers and printers of the offending book.