On Wednesday, the High Court of Bombay asked activist Vernon Gonsalves to explain the “objectionable material” like a copy of Leo Tolstoy’s War & Peace found at his home after the Pune police opposed his bail citing “highly incriminating evidence” in the form of “books & CDs with objectionable titles” recovered from his possession.
Justice Sarang Kotwal referred to Tolstoy’s novel based on Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812 & other material & said “such books” & CDs prima facie indicated they contained some material against the state.
Justice Kotwal said, “The title of the CD Rajya Daman Virodhi itself suggests it has something against the state while War & Peace is about a war in another country. Why did you [Gonsalves] keep objectionable material such as books like War & Peace… at home? You will have to explain this”.
The Court was hearing bail pleas of Gonsalves & five others, who were arrested last year for allegedly making provocation speeches on Dec 31, 2017.
The speeches have been blamed for allegedly triggering caste violence that left one person dead when Dalits gathered near Pune the next day to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the victory of Mahar scheduled caste soldiers of the British East India Company over Brahmin Peshwas at Bhima-Koregaon.
