J.K. Rowling's The Casual Vacancy Faces Potential Ban in India for Description of Sikh Girl

Harry Potter author's adult novel offends religious leaders who are concerned it is "derogatory to the Sikh faith"

Not all of the Muggles in India are excited about J.K. Rowling's new, adult novel.

In fact, The Casual Vacancy is facing protests and a potential ban for its portrayal of a Sikh girl, the Telegraph reports.

Sikh leaders are reportedly investigating complaints about the book's "provocative" language and description of a Sikh girl as "mustachioed yet large-mammaried."

The Sikh character in The Casual Vacancy, Sukhvinder, is referred to as "the Great Hermaphrodite" and a "hairy man-woman." The head of one Sikh group, India's Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, said the descriptions of the character were "a slur on the Sikh community."

A spokesperson for the committee said that its leaders will read the book carefully and "if deemed derogatory to the Sikh faith, we will demand a ban on it. We will make sure it doesn't sell in India."

A spokesperson for Rowling's publisher, Hachette, told the Telegraph the comments about the Sikh girl were made by a character bullying Sukhvinder. "It is quite clear in the text of the book that negative thoughts, actions and remarks made by a character, Fats, who is bullying Sukhvinder, are his alone. When described in the narrative voice, the depiction of Sukhvinder is quite different to this," the spokesperson said.

The Casual Vacancy, which was released last week, is Rowling's first book since the Harry Potter franchise.