In all 34 persons have been arrested in the case and the police may soon arrest owners of the press, Akshar, where 1,500 copies of the book were printed seven months ago. Tarun Bharat, the BJP mouthpiece, is also printed there.

The Government has taken no decision on banning the book. Copies of the 65-page book written in Marathi priced at Rs 15 are not available anywhere in the market. The knowledge of the book is based on an article written by Rana, in the Sena mouthpiece, Saamna, and some translations which appeared in an Urdu daily, Rahbar. Muslim maulavisare up in arms against the book. ``We know we can have a good debate with Arun Shourie, who too has written volumes against Islamic laws and books, but with Rana it is just not possible, his writings are highly explosive, based on unauthoritative sources, and designed to provoke religious feelings,'' said Javed of the Namate Islam.

Abdul Wahid Naksbandi, a veteran Kazi of the Imarate Sheriyat, who had given the call for the bandh said the book was basically meant to insult Islam, its theologists and the Prophet himself.

Sources in the community told The Indian Express that Rana was desperately trying to provoke a reaction from the community by distributing copies of his book to Maulavis. The Sena has, however, rolled up its sleeves over the issue, saying religious fundamentalists are once again raising heads in the city.