After cartoon row, Maharashtra cops arrest renowned author H M Marathe for 'spreading hatred'

In a dramatic turn of events, renowned Marathi author H M Marathe was today arrested and released on bail after being booked for allegedly spreading communal hatred.

Acting on a complaint of Sambhji Brigade, a Maratha outfit, police arrested the 72-year-old writer and produced him before a Judicial Magistrate which released him immediately on a personal bond of Rs 15,000 this evening.

The complaint under Section 153 (a) of IPC had been filed against Marathe for allegedly distributing a pamphlet during the canvassing of his candidature for the post of President of forthcoming 86th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, which contained a reference to the controversial book authored by American writer James Laine on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji.

The IPC Section pertains to promoting enmity between different groups on various grounds and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.

Marathe has already tendered an apology and said he was withdrawing the controversial pamphlet which he said had hurt sentiments of a section of people.

Pune city President of Sambhaji Brigade, Santosh Shinde, had yesterday filed the complaint against Marathe alleging the pamphlet which he circulated among the member-voters could cause communal enmity.

The author is contesting the election for the post of Sammelan President to be held in January 2013 at Chiplun in Ratnagiri district of Konkan region.

The Sammelan, a prestigious annual literary event in the cultural calender of Maharashtra, attracts writers and lovers of literature from all parts of the country.

Laine's book had created a furore when it came out in 2003. The Maharashtra Government banned the book but the Supreme Court lifted the ban in 2010.

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