Allahabad HC rejects ban on controversial textbook

The Allahabad High Court has rejected a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought to ban a book claiming that Goddess Gayatri is fictitious. The book, titled "Tathakathit Gayatri Devi Mantra Ki Vastavikta," was written by Sant Gyaneshwar Swami Sadanand Ji Paramhans. It argues that Goddess Gayatri, associated with the Gayatri Mantra, is not real. The PIL was filed by the Satya Sanatan Dharm Dharmatma Kalyan Samiti. It claimed that the book presents false images and idols of Gayatri Devi, which mislead religious followers. The petitioners also accused the authors of making derogatory comments about the Gayatri Mantra. A court ruling on March 12 stated that this PIL could not be entertained because a similar request had already been dismissed in 2016. The judges pointed out that the petitioners cannot bring forth the same issue again. The court emphasized that the matter was considered closed.