Archive · 19 Sep 2025
Legal Challenge to Arundhati Roy's Book Cover
A lawyer in India has asked the Kerala High Court to stop sales of Arundhati Roy's new book because the cover shows her smoking.
The lawyer says the cover does not have a warning about the dangers of smoking, which the law requires.
The lawyer thinks the image could encourage people, especially young women, to smoke.
The court is now looking at the case.
The lawyer's problem is with the cover, not the book's story.
A petition challenges the cover image of Arundhati Roy's book.
The petitioner is concerned about the depiction of smoking without a health warning.
The petitioner claims the image violates COTPA, 2003.
The Kerala High Court is considering the case.
The court has requested a response from the Union government.
- Who
- Rajasimhan (petitioner)
- What
- Plea against the book cover of Arundhati Roy's book
- When
- Filed in September; next hearing on September 25
- Where
- Kerala High Court
- Why
- Image lacks health warnings as required by law
Petitioner's Argument
Court's Position
Smoking Depiction
Petitioner's Argument
Image is a form of advertisement and indirect promotion of tobacco products.
Court's Position
The court is reviewing the plea.
COTPA Violation
Petitioner's Argument
The cover image violates COTPA due to the absence of health warnings.
Court's Position
The court has sought the Union government's response.
- Court
- Kerala High Court
- Petitioner
- Rajasimhan, Kochi-based lawyer
- Book Title
- Mother Mary Come to Me
- Author
- Arundhati Roy
- Issue
- Book cover image of Roy smoking
- Act Cited
- COTPA, 2003
- Next Hearing
- September 25
Sources
Petition in Kerala HC wants cover of Arundhati Roy’s memoir to come with health warning
PIL in HC against Arundhati Roy's smoking photo on book cover
Plea in Kerala High Court against Arundhati Roy's book cover showing her smoking - ‘thoroughly misleading and unhealthy’
PIL in Kerala HC seeking stay on sale of Arundhati Roy’s new book
Plea in HC against Arundhati Roy book for cover showing her smoking without mandatory health warning
