THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Writers and leaders of political parties rallied behind noted Malayalam author S Hareesh, who has withdrawn his novel being serialised, after alleged threats from right-wing groups. The author said a cyber-attack was launched against him and his family over allegations that his book portrayed women visiting temples in a poor light. A group of eminent Malayalam writers, including M Mukundan, K Satchidanandan, Anita Nair, Unni R and KR Meera have expressed anguish over the development and called it a threat to freedom of expression.
Veteran CPI (M) leader VS Achuthanandan asked Hareesh to reconsider his decision to pull back the novel 'Meesha' (Moustache) and surrender to the “threat of the Sangh Parivar”. He said, “The writer and the publishers 'Mathrubhumi' (weekly) should be ready to go ahead with the novel,” he said in a statement. He also urged people to come forward in protecting the right and freedom of writers. CPI(M) politburo member MA Baby said it was a “disgrace” for Kerala to withdraw the novel of S Hareesh who was a noted writer in the new generation. “It is an attempt by RSS and Sangh Parivar to threaten free thought in Kerala,” he said.
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala called the development a shame for Kerala. He also said it was an act of intolerance to attack the writer by citing certain dialogues by a character in the novel. A group of writers meanwhile, held a protest in front of the venue of the ongoing international documentary film festival in Thiruvananthpuram, giving support to Hareesh.
