these allegations objectionable and asked Kerala government to prosecute the author for the derogatory and defamatory contents in the book. Despite pressure from the math and devotees, Kerala government refused to prosecute the author, but allowed the devotee to file a case for prosecution (government permission is required to move private prosecution in similar cases). There were public protests by international humanists, Indian rationalists, writers, and the youth wing of the Indian Communist Party (Marxist) in which the author was an activist, which yielded results. However, in 2004, the Kerala State Government sanctioned criminal prosecution of Patthathanam, the owner of the publishing company, and the printer of the book on grounds that religious sentiments had been offended and for the libelous statements in the book. The order followed directions from the Kerala High Court to the Home Department for considering an application by T.K. Ajan, a resident of the Mata Amṛtānandamayī Math. CPI leader Thengamam Balakrishnan protested the move against Pattathanam. References (Matha Amritanandamayi: Sacred Stories and Realities): Mass Books, Kollam, Kerala People from Kollam district Malayalam-language writers Living people 1956 births Indian atheism activists Indian rationalists Indian Communist writers