Book Review: Sita Ram Goel The Calcutta Quran Petition
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| The Calcutta Quran Petition |
Book Review: Sita Ram Goel The Calcutta Quran Petition
This book of Sita Ram Goel The Calcutta Quran Petition unfolds layers of legal, religious, and cultural implications that arose from this petition. It challenges readers to contemplate whether laws meant to protect communal harmony can themselves become tools of religious scrutiny.
We can’t ignore that The Calcutta Quran Petition creates an intellectual battlefield. The petition argued that certain verses in the Quran incited violence against non-Muslims, thus violating Sections 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code. This book meticulously reproduces the petition and adds critical commentary—highlighting what happens when free speech confronts the sensitive edges of religious texts.
Book Details
Author
a prominent historian, writer, and publisher known for his critiques of religious and political ideologies.
Original Language
Publisher
Voice of India
ISBN
9788185990021
Length
106 pages
Genre
Political commentary, legal history, religious criticism
Goel other works, including Hindu Temples: What Happened to Them and The Story of Islamic Imperialism in India, cement his position as an assertive voice on Indian civilizational discourse. This particular book, however, has become symbolic of the larger debate surrounding religious tolerance and legal impartiality.
Structure and Contents of the Book
The structure of the book is precise and functional. Goel ensures that every chapter builds upon the last, driving home the idea that democratic societies must hold all beliefs, even the most sacred, up to scrutiny if they enter the public legal sphere.
Key elements include:
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The full text of the 1984 Calcutta High Court petition
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Commentary and analysis by Sita Ram Goel
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A legal review of the Quran’s verses cited in the petition
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An exploration of Indian constitutional law and religious protections
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Appendices with direct quotes from the Quran in question
This format makes it both a historical document and an argument in print—bridging activism, law, and religious critique.
Strong Points of the Book
First, the intellectual courage of Sita Ram Goel The Calcutta Quran Petition stands unmatched. Goel does not shy away from asking hard questions: Why are blasphemy laws asymmetrical? Can a secular state privilege one religious text over others?Second, the book’s legal framing is precise. It mirrors a courtroom proceeding—complete with exhibit-style Quranic verses and relevant Indian Penal Code sections. This makes it appealing not only to general readers but also to legal scholars and human rights advocates.
Moreover, Goel critical tone remains professional, avoiding hyperbole while relying on the actual text of the Quran to make his point. That restraint gives the book its power—it allows the evidence to speak rather than clouding it with polemics.
Impact and Legacy
We would be mistaken to underestimate its reach. The book quickly became a rallying point for free speech advocates and critics of religious exceptionalism. While the Calcutta High Court dismissed the petition, the very act of filing it became a watershed moment.The Calcutta Quran Petition has influenced discussions in university debates, policy circles, and even Parliament. It prompted fresh scrutiny over India’s blasphemy laws and how they may be used selectively. More importantly, it questioned why the phrase “Allah is the great” and other doctrinal expressions should remain outside the bounds of public analysis.
The book was banned in some Indian states, yet it flourished in underground intellectual circles—quoted, cited, and pirated across ideological lines. Whether we agree with it or not, its legacy is undeniable.
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| Sita Ram Goel |
Criticism of the Book
Critics argue that Sita Ram Goel The Calcutta Quran Petition lacks balance. While it heavily critiques Islam, it offers little commentary on similar verses in other religious texts. Academics like Mushirul Hasan have called it “one-sided and unnecessarily provocative.”Others have pointed out that the book might inadvertently fuel Islamophobia by focusing exclusively on violent Quranic verses. Legal scholars also argue that using colonial-era laws to challenge religious scripture sets a dangerous precedent.
Still, despite these criticisms, the book’s defenders claim that highlighting contradictions in legal protections is a public service, not a provocation.
Comparison with Other Similar Books
It shares thematic ground with:
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Ibn Warraq’s “Why I Am Not a Muslim” – offering similar critiques but from a Western ex-Muslim perspective.
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Ali Sina’s “Understanding Muhammad” – blends biography with theological criticism.
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Christopher Hitchens’ “God Is Not Great” – a universal critique of religion that touches on Islamic texts as well.
However, what sets Sita Ram Goel The Calcutta Quran Petition apart is its legalistic lens and its rootedness in the Indian judiciary. Where others philosophize, Goel litigates—in spirit, if not in court.
Exploring the Phrase
Allah Best of Planners
The phrase “Allah best of planners” (Quran 8:30) often serves as a spiritual assurance for believers. In Goel book, however, it’s cited in a legal context to illustrate what the petitioners claim is divine sanction for deception or strategic harm against non-believers.This turns a theological concept into a constitutional question: Can religious planning clash with democratic values? The phrase appears repeatedly in The Calcutta Quran Petition, becoming symbolic of the tension between divine will and civic law.
Examining the Relationship: Muhammad and Allah
Goel dedicates portions of his commentary to the interaction between Muhammad and Allah, particularly how prophetic declarations often act as extensions of divine command. For instance, Quranic justifications for war or social laws often come with historical annotations involving Prophet Muhammad’s actions.Goel uses this dynamic to argue that the Quran isn’t just scripture—it’s also a biography of legislative and judicial intent. This complicates the debate over whether any part of the Quran can be considered “symbolic” or “contextual” in court.
Understanding the Significance: Allah is the Great
The phrase “Allah is the great” is foundational to Islamic identity. But in the book, this declaration becomes part of the larger question: Should religious supremacy be legally immune from critique?Goel doesn’t mock the phrase, but he does question whether such expressions—when coupled with calls to action against non-believers—can exist harmoniously in a pluralistic legal system. The book asks whether any belief should be protected from secular examination simply due to reverence.
Final Ruling
As we review Sita Ram Goel The Calcutta Quran Petition, we are reminded of the complex interplay between law, faith, and free speech. This book is not for the faint-hearted, nor for those who avoid controversy. But its value lies in forcing a conversation we often hesitate to have.We are left with questions rather than answers. Is religious critique inherently divisive, or is it a path to mutual understanding? Can laws meant to protect religious harmony remain fair if they shield only one set of beliefs?
The Calcutta Quran Petition leaves us in a courtroom of conscience—and in that space, our verdict is still out.
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