‘Unconstitutional’
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IMPHAL, Oct 6 : Former Acting Chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Khaidem Mani has said that the recent notification issued by the State Government to mandate approval for all books to be published on the State’s history, culture, tradition and geography is unconstitutional.
Speaking to the media at his residence at Yumnam Leikai today, K Mani said that there is no legal advisory in the country which states that due approval has to be taken from a particular authority for publishing books.
Stating that authorities do have the power to ban a particular book if its contents undermine other religions or slander the image of a person or a group of people as per the law of the land, K Mani said that the notification issued by the Joint Secretary of Higher & Technical Education, however, was unconstitutional and it will surely be challenged by many in the Courts. He also said that the Government must be aware of the rule of the land and accept the criticism coming from the Opposition parties and people. Expressing that the State Government must consult with legal experts before taking up any legal matter, K Mani said that every citizen of the country is entitled to freedom of expression with reasonable restriction. "It would be very wrong to arrest every person who speaks against the policy of the State," he added.
Speaking to the media at his residence at Yumnam Leikai today, K Mani said that there is no legal advisory in the country which states that due approval has to be taken from a particular authority for publishing books.
Stating that authorities do have the power to ban a particular book if its contents undermine other religions or slander the image of a person or a group of people as per the law of the land, K Mani said that the notification issued by the Joint Secretary of Higher & Technical Education, however, was unconstitutional and it will surely be challenged by many in the Courts. He also said that the Government must be aware of the rule of the land and accept the criticism coming from the Opposition parties and people. Expressing that the State Government must consult with legal experts before taking up any legal matter, K Mani said that every citizen of the country is entitled to freedom of expression with reasonable restriction. "It would be very wrong to arrest every person who speaks against the policy of the State," he added.