Concern over 'erotic' book on Ramakrishna

NEW DELHI, APRIL 18. Away from the rough and tumble of politics, the unlikely topic of erotica had members shaking their heads in awe in the Rajya Sabha today.

Days of turmoil and uproar gave way to a brief diversion during question hour when Mr. C. Narayana Reddy (TDP) objected to the circulation of two controversial books on Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and sought a ban on them.

``Kali's child: the mystical and the erotic in the life and teachings of Ramakrishna'' and ``Ramakrishna revisited: a new biography'' were sought to be removed from the Parliament Library besides getting them deleted from the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Quoting a few passages, Mr. Reddy said they were quite derogatory. ``Understanding his words required what might be called erotic hermeneutics,'' he said quoting a passage.

The member quoted another passage which said ``Ramakrishna's love was just such an erotic love'' and sensing Ms. Shabana Azmi (nominated) who was seated near him, had said something, he said ``I underline madam, erotic love''.

``What is wrong in it,'' Ms. Azmi asked to which Mr. Reddy said, ``I am hearing nothing wrong, according to you, but for people like us... because she is my neighbour I must hear her.'' Completing the passage quoted in one of the books, Mr. Reddy said ``Ramakrishna's love was not just an erotic love. At once it was sexual, asexual and mystical love.'' ``So what, erotic love,'' Ms. Azmi said amid peals of laughter.

Replying to supplementaries, the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, said though there was a proposal for banning the books in 1997, the Government had decided not to do so. The Encyclopaedia Britannica had been asked by the Ramakrishna Mission to delete these controversial books and the Centre would wait for its response.

- PTI

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