A Dalit writer of Kulathiranpattu in Pudukottai district has been ostracised by the villagers after his short story sparked a controversy.
Durai.Guna said he was ostracised by a group of villagers who held a meeting on August 5.
Trouble began after Mr. Guna released the book Oorar varaintha oviyam at a function at Karambakudi on July 12. While the writer said the story was about social justice, villagers objected to its contents, especially a few references to illicit relationships between some men and women of different communities in the village. They argued that the claims were contrary to truth.
Mr. Guna said he was now staying at his friend’s house in Coimbatore. He left the village after the book release and was staying in Chennai for some time. He said his parents were being intimidated and his father Duraisamy moved the Superintendent of Police for protection to the family.
Village panchayat president Thangaraj said the story caused ripples among the upper castes and oppressed communities. The writer defamed individuals, he said, explaining the reason for the villagers’ action.
Superintendent of Police E.S. Uma said preliminary enquiry was under way and no case of intimidation was established. The parents of the writer were still in the village.
