“Perumal Murugan should return and pen more enlightening pieces with strong social themes for the generation next,” was the united call from those who gathered at Valluvar Kottam on Tuesday morning to express solidarity for the author. The protesters also condemned the reactions by State authorities in the case.
Mr. Murugan’s novel Madhorubhagan released in 2010 was criticised by a few caste outfits that cried foul over the portrayal of a temple ritual in Tiruchengode in the 1930s. In January, the author was forced to tendering an apology and also offered to remove the alleged controversial portions from book. He abstained from writing after the incident.
Scholars, senior journalists, free thinkers and political leaders voiced in support of Mr. Murugan and lashed out on Namakkal police and local Revenue officials alleging ill treatment of the author and termed it a cowardice act suppressing freedom of expression.
While participating at the Tuesday’s protest, Communist Party of India’s senior leader R. Nallakannu, condemned the role played by the State authorities in withdrawing a fine work that talks about freedom on women in society and atrocities in the name of caste. “This is a clear case of freedom of expression being crushed and it is ridiculous that such an act against a work of fiction is initiated after four years,” he added.
Addressing mediapersons after the event, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan said that the actions are not against a single writer but totally against freedom of expression.
“When a pen is broken, more pens such rise and act against such injustice. Perumal Murugan should return to writing and offer more works to the society without fear,” Thirumavalan added.
Organised by the Karuthurimai Padhukappu Kootamaippu, Tamil Nadu Kalai Ilakiya Perumandram and the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association, the protest meet also witnessed the launch of a signature campaign in support of Perumal Murugan.
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