A Pune-based publisher has taken the drastic step of destroying 45,000 copies of a book on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj authored by the late left-wing leader Govind Pansare. The action came after Pansare's family accused the publisher of copyright violations, tampering with the original content, and unauthorized printing.
Allegations by the Pansare Family
The controversy erupted on Monday when the Pansare family publicly alleged that the publisher had printed the book without obtaining permission from Uma Pansare, the widow of Govind Pansare, who holds the exclusive publishing rights. The family further claimed that the original text had been altered, with key chapters omitted and sections revised, thereby distorting the context of the author's writings.
Smita Pansare, daughter of Govind Pansare, stated: Three publishers are authorized by my mother, Uma, to print the latest editions of the book written by my father. The Pune publisher did not take permission to print the book. Moreover, the printed book is of an old edition, which was revised by the author regularly before passing away. We will send a legal notice to the publisher asking him to take back the copies, if circulated, and destroy them.
Publisher Admits Mistake
Sharad Ashtekar, owner of Madhushree Publication based in Pune, acknowledged the lapse, describing it as a legal and editorial mistake. He explained that the decision to print was based on an online version of the book. There was a PDF on the internet of the well-known book. We decided to print and provide it at a low cost with good intentions. We are a progressive publishing house, Ashtekar told TOI.
He added: We started printing four days ago. I got to know through the press conference that such a mistake has taken place. I accept the mistake. I should not have referred to the older copy. I immediately destroyed all the 45,000 copies.
Content Distortion Concerns
Prashant Ambi of Sau Publications, one of the three authorized publishers, supported the family's claims of content distortion. He noted that the unauthorized edition contained inaccuracies. We found that important chapters were deleted in the book printed by the Pune-based publisher. History keeps changing, and changes are made on documentary evidence. However, in this book, the uncorrected facts have been published, which, when put together in the context, will convey a different meaning about the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Ambi said.
The Pansare family had earlier warned of legal action but chose to go public to alert readers about the discrepancies and prevent confusion over the author's work. The book, first written in 1988 and revised multiple times, remains a significant historical text.
