Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan has finally addressed the legal notice served to her by the Madhya Pradesh High Court concerning her book, Kareena Kapoor Khan's Pregnancy Bible. The notice was issued in May following a petition filed by advocate Christopher Anthony, who called for a ban on the sale of the book, claiming that its title "hurt the religious sentiments" of a community. ALSO READ: DID YOU KNOW? Kareena Kapoor-Saif Ali Khan FIGHT Over This Issue All The Time - Read To Know BELOW
In her response on Tuesday, Kareena strongly objected to the petition, clarifying through her legal representatives, Divya Krishna Billaiya and Nikhil Bhatt, that she had no intention of offending any religious beliefs. The actress emphasized that the title of her book was not meant to disrespect any religion or religious text. The Madhya Pradesh High Court has scheduled the next hearing on the matter with Justice GS Ahluwalia on September 10, where the case will continue to be examined.
Kareena's lawyer, Divya Krishna Billaiya, reiterated that the book, Pregnancy Bible, was not intended to hurt religious sentiments. In her official response, Kareena also reportedly referred to the book as her "third child," indicating the personal significance it holds for her. The controversy stems from the use of the word "Bible" in the title, which petitioner Christopher Anthony, a social activist from Jabalpur, argued was disrespectful to the Christian community. Anthony stated that the Bible is a sacred text for Christians worldwide, and he found it inappropriate to compare it with Kareena Kapoor Khan's experiences with pregnancy.
Kareena Kapoor Khan's Pregnancy Bible was published on August 10, 2021, by Juggernaut publications and quickly gained popularity, even making it to the bestsellers list shortly after its release. The book, which offers a comprehensive guide to pregnancy based on Kareena's personal journey, has been well-received by many readers. However, the title's reference to the "Bible" has sparked controversy, leading to the legal challenges Kareena is now facing.
This legal battle over the book’s title highlights the delicate balance between creative expression and religious sensitivities in India. While Kareena has made it clear that there was no malice intended in choosing the title, the ongoing legal proceedings will determine whether the book can continue to be sold under its current name. As the case progresses, it will be interesting to see how the court navigates this intersection of personal expression and religious respect, and what precedent it might set for future cases involving similar disputes in the entertainment and publishing industries.
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