Bollywood icon Kareena Kapoor Khan has recently become the subject of legal scrutiny due to the title of her book “Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Pregnancy Bible: The Ultimate Manual for Moms-To-Be”. The Madhya Pradesh High Court issued a notice to the actress after a petition was filed demanding the removal of the word “Bible” from the book title, claiming it offended the Christian community. The complaint, brought forth by advocate Christopher Anthony, has escalated the matter to the judiciary, prompting a response from various stakeholders associated with the book’s publication.
The petition brought before Justice GS Ahluwalia of the single bench in the Madhya Pradesh High Court has not only summoned Kareena Kapoor but also involved co-author Aditi Shah Bhimjyani, online giant Amazon, and Juggernaut Books, the publishing house. Notices were also sent to the state government, Jabalpur’s superintendent of police, and the officer in charge of the Omit police station, as per reports from PTI.
The root of the issue seems to originate from a petition previously dismissed by a lower court on February 26, 2022. Anthony’s efforts to ban the book and obliterate the contentious word from the title were stonewalled when the police failed to submit an inquiry report concerning the original grievance filed at Omti police station. This report was necessary to register a criminal case against the actress and others involved for allegedly insulting the sentiments of Christians.
The book in question, launched in August 2021, represents Kareena Kapoor Khan’s foray into authorship as she chronicles her experiences through pregnancy. Reflecting on her journey, prior to the controversy, Kapoor had taken to her Instagram to share her narrative. She recounted the ebbs and flows of her prenatal period, days she felt unstoppable contrasted with those she could barely get out of bed. The purpose of her book, as she indicated in her social media post, was to encapsulate the personal voyage she undertook during her pregnancies, both physically and emotionally.
Expanding on her intent, Khan expressed that the book was a candid reveal of her learnings and encounters as an expectant mother, aimed at aiding others on their path to motherhood. She addressed her sheer disbelief at agreeing to pen such a manual but underlined the importance of sharing her own narratives which, though distinctive, carry universality that could resonate with other expectant mothers.
Khan, who married fellow actor Saif Ali Khan in 2012, has two children, with her firstborn arriving in 2016 and their younger child being born in 2021. Her book descriptively shares her most cherished moments, offering insight into her life as a mother.
The case presents a crossroads between freedom of expression and respect for religious sentiments. It opens a dialogue regarding the complexities of a multicultural society where creative expression can inadvertently step into sensitive territory. Amidst these legal proceedings, what stands clear is that the title of Kapoor’s publication has generated more than just prenatal advice, igniting a debate that now resides in the domain of the Indian judicial system.
As the story unfolds, the book continues to be available to the public, while the court’s decision could further dictate its fate. With potential implications on publishing norms and religious sensitivities in India, this legal notice has spawned attention beyond literary circles, and the coming days will be crucial in determining the outcome of this controversy.
The case’s progression has also brought forward discussions about the dynamics of secularism in the country, raising pertinent questions about where the line should be drawn when exercising creative liberties. With the input of agencies, observers wait to see if the case will set a precedent or if it’s merely an isolated skirmish in the broader canvas of cultural expression.
