* ‘‘It’s a stupid decision. If anything was objectionable in the book, people should have been allowed to decide it. It’s just a political gimmick.’’—Vinay Apte, whose serial on Shivaji, The Great Maratha, is on air* ‘‘After selling copies the world over, how can the ban be effective now? It’s only a formality. It is a right step, but it should have been taken much earlier.’’—Pramod Navalkar, Sena leader, former minister for cultural affairs * ‘‘I am essentially opposed to the idea of banning books. This book, in particular, doesn’t sound inflammatory. Nor does it appear to be a mischievous attempt at maligning a hero. The public should decide for themselves. The person who has written it is clearly an academic and a scholar.’’—Shobhaa De, author* ‘‘We welcome the move. The book was based on wrong information and lacked research. Though the author has apologised for the lacunae and agreed that whatever he has written is incorrect, a ban was necessary.’’—Ulhas Pawar, poet and Congressman* ‘‘How many have read this book? Banning a book is absolutely undemocratic. The author doesn’t pass any judgment on Shivaji’s parentage. He just quotes what many other writers have said earlier. As a writer, I am deeply hurt.’’— Sharda Dwivedi, historian
