The News Minute| January 14, 2015| 7.50 pm IST
‘Author Perumal Murugan has died’ - this is the dramatic yet desperate public declaration the Tamil writer made after being forced to flee from his hometown in Tiruchengode following protests against his controversial book.
So far, none of the state’s major political players, DMK nor the AIADMK have rallied behind the writer strongly. The ruling party, AIADMK has not even issued a statement after Perumal Murugan signed an agreement promising to apologise for his book Mathorubhagan and agreeing to delete all controversial portions in it . The writer, who has penned six novels, short stories and poems then went on to issue a statement in which he said that none of his novels henceforth will be sold to the public.
In essence, the writer in Perumal Murugan is dead. Read- 'Author Perumal Murugan has died' , hounded by Hindutva groups author puts up poignant post
While those who need to speak remain unnaturally silent, different voices have spoken out in support of the author and the need for freedom of expression. At a time when Charlie Hebdo has hooked on the world’s attention with a debate on freedom of expression, controversies in our own backyard are going seemingly unnoticed.
Ten authors speak up for Perumal Murugan, but some do feel his reaction was extreme.
Author Ashokamitran- Sahitya Akademi Award winning author
These are times when people are very sensitive about issues of caste, religion and other issues. Many communities are becoming militant. There is no tolerance. Most of these people are used to books that glorified their past, and any aberration is not tolerated.
Perumal Murugan is a good writer, his language is different, his prose is different. His reaction should not have been so extreme, I feel it was a bit dramatic. This whole incident of intolerance is indeed a setback for writers in Tamil Nadu, authors will get scared.
Ms. Sarah Joseph, award-winning author and AAP leader.
I do not know Perumal Murugan personally nor have I read any of his works, but his decision is shocking to me. The fact that he has decided to not only stop publication of this book but pulp all of his earlier works shows the depth of his feeling. This must be a lesson to everyone.
When Charlie Hebdo attack happened we condemned it but now we are not. It shows our cowardice, here we are scared about the reaction from the Sangh Parivar. I think Perumal Murugan should take back his statement, he should not withdraw his books.
Vaasanthi Sundaram whose book Jayalalithaa: A Portrait was banned.
Like a Tamil poet said- "We are not subject to anyone and we don't fear even death.
I think it is a very unfortunate and knee jerk reaction from the writer who got scared. That also sets a bad example for other writers. It also encourages nefarious elements that jump on anyone who they disagree with.
I am quite annoyed and taken aback at the writer saying he will withdraw all his books. No writer should take such decision. If a writer who has to expose the ills of society withdraws, then where is the strength to write?
When my own book on Jayalalithaa was banned, not many supported me, but in Perumal Murugan's case many in the media and other authors supported him. Why did he buckle? He should not have. It is sad that fringe elements are threatening Freedom of Expression.
Meena Kandasamy- Poet, author and activist.
The fact that this is happening in the Tamil literary landscape means that this is not getting as much traction as would happen to a book in English or a comic strip in French. Nevertheless the heart of the problem is the same thing.
It is an attack on the freedom of expression. but beyond that, this is also one of the way in which the hindu right wing wants to spread its politics of divide and hatred. trying to find fault with a film like PK and protesting, or trying to make Perumal murugan withdraw sections of his book---all of this is on the one hand to pretend as if "hinduism is under attack" and to polarize society. on the other hand it is about having the power of goons and thugs to intervene into cultural, literary and public spaces.
D Ravikumar- Author, politician, social worker.
Tamilnadu has a long history of intolerance.Thousands of Buddhist and Jain manuscripts were burnt by Saivite saints. In 20th Century Writers like Sujatha, Sundararamasamy, Ki.Rajanarayanan were threatened by various caste outfits.
I see a continuation of hate politics in the persecution of Perumal murugan. Major political parties like DMK, AIADMK didn't come forward to condemn hate politics.TN government took stringent action against some caste outfits first, but become reluctant afterwards.
The caste and religious outfits are trying to turn Democracy in to Mobocracy. Giving a free hand to these elements is dangerous to our polity. This is not an issue of a writer or literature. The fundamentalists are trying to destroy the democratic fabric of our society. This must be opposed by all peace living persons of our state.
Writer A Marx
Perumal Murugan should have not apologised in this manner. We understand his situation completely. But he should not have accept a direct surrender. He should have stood stronger. Among Sangh Parivar, one should differentiate between RSS and the local parties like Hindu Munnani and Hindu makkal katchi. The local parties have their roots in local caste group.
Whenever there is violence against minorities, its not just hindus but caste that plays a role. This is both caste violence as well as religious violence. Govt should have taken stern action against those who were responsible for the protests. The govt has failed and we condemn it..
Olga- P Lalitha Kumari, a well known Telugu author.
I had read the statement that he put out and it was very moving. The kind of fundamentalism and street censorship that is growing in our country is definitely a cause of concern. Freedom of expression is a basic right and that itself is under threat because of incidents like this.
Gnani Sankaran- Popular Tamil author
I support Perumal Murugan’s right to write and people who disagree with his writing can also write. I have a right to say that I dont like your writing. I can also write and publish against it. But you cant simply burn a book and protest.
The Govt has failed in providing security for PM for the protestors. The government was able to provide Black Cat commandos to Subramanian Swamy and Ram Gopalan of the Hindu munnai , but the govt cant provide protection for a writer?
Without the government’s support , the protestors wont have a right to protest. The govt too is acting like a Khaap panchayat. Sangh Parivar is trying to identify some issue in each region and polarise them. In that region they wanted to polaise the Gounder Hindu vote. This is only part of a larger conspiracy of the RSS and the Sangh Parivar to increase the vote share in view of the upcoming 2016 elections
Kavin Malar
Nobody has the right to dictate Perumal Murugan. As a writer he has his own choice of selecting the theme of his novel. If you have an objection, don't read it. Thats what Supreme court said about PK movie. Otherwise, write another novel or article condemning Perumal Murugan's writings.
In Thiruchengode, fascist elements have joined hands in the name of Hindutva, caste organisations and particularly under the cover of protecting so called chastity of women. These people have conducted a 'Katta panchayat' with the help of district administration of Namakkal. Under DRO's supervision the 'peace meeting' was conducted. It is a shame that a government body is conducting such a meeting and concludes that 'madhorubagan' has to be be withdrawn.
Always an alliance between caste elements and government is dangerous. We can clearly see this danger in Thiruchengode.
And on the same day, police went into the some stalls in the Chennai Lit Fest book fair and asked the stall owners not to display Perumal Murugan's books. When asked 'whether the book is banned' the police had replied 'We are not responsible for any problems that can follow the display of his book'. Is this how police is supposed to protect?
Moreover, Perumal Murugan's decision to withdraw all of his books has saddened many writers. But the elements who forced him to take the decision should be punished. There should be action against Namakkal District Collector who had failed in his responsibility. And BAPASI should atleast release a statement in support of Perumal Murugan.
Kannan Sundaram, Murugan's publisher.
I think the people of Tirchengode have been led to believe that Perumal Murugan has somehow defamed their town and temple. It was completely twisted.
He is very much the son of the soil and is not capable of defaming Kongu. But what is being done to him , the bandh , the protests and the attack against him has really shamed Tiruchengode in the eyes of the world.