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Publish a written apology in national newspapers: Bombay HC

  • Bombay High Court orders petitioners

  • Case concerning insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Rajmata Jijabai

 

Satara (Maharashtra) – In 2003, Oxford University Press India published the book “Shivaji: The Hindu King in Islamic India” written by James Laine. Certain paragraphs and excerpts in the book were defamatory and insulting to the image of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Rajmata Jijabai. In protest against this, Member of Parliament Shrimant Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale filed a case in the Satara Court. Oxford University Press has recently issued a public apology. In this matter, the Kolhapur Bench of the Bombay High Court has ordered Oxford University Press along with four individuals to publish an unconditional written apology in national-level newspapers. The four individuals are: Sayeed Manzar Khan, Editor of Oxford University Press India; Dr Shrikant Bahulkar, Professor of Sanskrit at Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune; Professor Sucheta Paranjape; and V L Manjul, Librarian of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI).

1. Considering the seriousness of the case of defamation, in 2005 the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Satara ordered proceedings against all the accused under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code.

2. After the Satara Court’s order, the accused—Sayeed Manzar Khan (Editor, Oxford University Press India), Dr Shrikant Bahulkar (Professor of Sanskrit, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune), Professor Sucheta Paranjape, and V L Manjul (Librarian, BORI)—filed a criminal writ petition in the High Court.

3. On 17 December 2025, the hearing of this case took place before Justice Shivkumar Dige at the Kolhapur Bench of the Bombay High Court. The advocates for the petitioners informed the court that they were ready to apologise to MP Bhosale.

4. At that time, the advocates representing MP Shrimant Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale requested the court to pass appropriate orders. Accordingly, Justice Shivkumar Dige directed that a written apology be published in national-level newspapers within 15 days.

Apology issued by the petitioners

Oxford University Press India published the book written by James William Laine in 2003. We are aware that Shrimant Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj holds a place of immense honour and deep reverence in the hearts of lakhs of people. We deeply respect the strong public sentiments associated with his legacy and sincerely express regret for the distress caused to the general public. We offer an unconditional apology to Shrimant Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale for the inconvenience or pain caused to him.

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