Saffron stir forces Tamil writer to announce ’death’

TNN

Chennai, 15 Jan 2015: "Perumal Murugan, the writer is dead. He will not resurrect himself as he is not god. He also has no faith in rebirth. He will live as an ordinary teacher, P Murugan". The Facebook post by the author, who shot into limelight with protests over his book, ’Madhorubhagan’ (One Part Woman), conveyed angst and frustration. The last two weeks saw his native Tiruchnegode in Namakkal district rocked by protests by some fringe Hindu groups, objecting to certain portions in the book that they termed derogatory to women and Hindu culture. While the original Tamil version of the book was published four years ago, the spate of protests was triggered by the English version that was released recently.

 

The novel, according to the summary on the publisher, Penguin’s website, "revolves around the futile efforts of a childless couple to conceive, till the night of the car festival in the village temple, when rules are relaxed and consensual union between any man and woman is sanctioned. This night could end the couple’s suffering and humiliation, but it will also put their marriage to the ultimate test." Thanking his well-wishers for supporting him, Perumal Murugan said, "It (the protests) will not end up with ’Madhorubhagan’. A few other organizations or people could create a controversy over some other book of Perumal Murugan".

 

After posting the statement on FB on Monday night, Perumal Murugan switched off his mobile and was not available for comments. Advised by police to leave his native town on security grounds, the writer arrived in Chennai last week. But, he returned to Tiruchengode on Monday to take part in a peace meeting organized by the district authorities where he agreed to issue an unconditional apology and delete "controversial portions" in the book. He also apparently agreed to withdraw unsold copies of the book from the market and promised not to write on "such controversial subjects".

 

 

On Tuesday, Perumal Murugan, who was a Tamil professor for 17 years, urged his publishers, Kalachuvadu, Nattrinai, Adayalam, Malaigal and Kayalkavin, not to sell his novels, short stories, poetries and other creative works. "I will pay the production cost and compensate unsold books," he said. "Those who have bought my books can consign them to flames. I am also ready to compensate them," he said. He also called upon organisers of literary festivals not to invite him to any events. "As I have decided to withdraw all books, I request caste outfits and religious organization to desist from protests," he said.

 

Neither the government nor any mainstream political party raised their voice for the beleaguered author. Meanwhile, the Chennai Book Fair witnessed protests against the persecution of the author.

 

Reacting to the issue, historian and author Ramchandra Guha said, "What happened in Tamil Nadu will happen in totalitarian nations like North Korea. The Sangh Parivar activists have shamed Tamil Nadu, India and democracy in that order".

 

Writers across the state are seething with anger. On Tuesday, writers belonging to various fora staged protests or issued statements seeking support across the political spectrum. "It’s a shame for the state when a writer has to withdraw his publications. This is the first time such an incident has happened in the state," Sahitya Akademi winning author Su Venkatesan told TOI.