Official at Bhopal railway station objects to Khushwant Singh novel as 'obscene', has it removed from book stall

A senior official of the Railway Board on Wednesday directed a book vendor at Bhopal’s railway station to stop selling renowned writer Khushwant Singh’s novel Women, Sex, Love and Lust, saying that such “obscene” literature may spoil the future generation.

He also directed officials to ensure “such obscene things” are not sold at book stalls at the Bhopal station.

Chairman of the Railway Board’s Passenger Service Committee (PSC), Ramesh Chandra Ratn, who was on an inspection drive at the station, spotted late Singh’s novel and another book on preventive measures during pregnancy put on display for sale at a stall.

He immediately asked the vendor to take the books off the shelf. Ratn also warned him that if such literature is kept on sale in the future, a fine would be imposed.

“This is a multi-purpose stall, so obscene things with such (covers) words should not be displayed. Officials have been cautioned and directed to ensure such obscene things are not sold at the vends,” Ratn told reporters at the station.

On being informed that one of these books belonged to a renowned author, he said, “Look, whosoever may be the writer… I want to inform you all that, according to the by-laws, it is not permissible here. This is a stall of the Railways which runs according to a system.”

“We don’t want to spoil the future generation. Chetan Bhagat, too, is a writer of national fame,” he said.

Two months ago, during an inspection at the New Delhi station, the official had reportedly also objected to Bhagat’s novel Half Girlfriend being kept for sale at a stall in the premises on similar grounds.

Ratn, who is responsible for overseeing passenger amenities at railway stations, said, “With the help of the media I want to send a message to people to stay away from such literature and pictures.”

“It is offending to our sisters and daughters. There is a system in families. Cinema halls are [a> place for it. Such things are banned in railway properties as there is a system,” he added.

Ratn also expressed satisfaction over passenger facilities being provided at the Bhopal station.