As It Happens

Penguin Books Pulped

"Please destroy my books." That's what two Indian authors published by Penguin are requesting. Obviously, that's extraordinary. But as far as the authors are concerned, it's a principled response to Penguin's announcement that it's withdrawing a book by Wendy Doniger called "The Hindus: An Alternative History" from circulation -- and pulping all remaining copies....
"Please destroy my books." That's what two Indian authors published by Penguin are requesting. Obviously, that's extraordinary. But as far as the authors are concerned, it's a principled response to Penguin's announcement that it's withdrawing a book by Wendy Doniger called "The Hindus: An Alternative History" from circulation -- and pulping all remaining copies.
The publishing company's decision to destroy that book is part of a settlement with a group of conservative Hindu nationalists, who filed a case against Penguin.

Jyotirmaya Sharma is one of the authors now asking Penguin to pulp his own books. We reached Mr. Sharma in Hyderabad, India.