The case was filed at Gondia in Maharashtra's Bhandara district by a group of 439 dalit activists recently. Leaders of the group - Advocates R K Borkar and N D Suryavanshi - told reporters at Gondia that the book Worshipping False Gods was the ``creation of an insane writer which has hurt our feelings''.

Borkar said the one year delay in filing the case was due to preparation of background material and drafting of the 141-page complaint.Bhandara district has a long association with Dalit movement. It was from this very place that Dr Ambedkar had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha election in the1950s.

Meanwhile, Shourie today declined to comment on the Rs 50 crore defamation case filed against him by Dalit activists. Asked for comments, the well-known writer said that it would not be proper to say anythingwithout going through the copy of the complaint.

Shourie said, ``Since the matter is in court, let it be decided by the court.''