“An important writer [Perumal Murugan] has been silenced and if this kind of intimidation continues, there will be no more festivals of literature,” writer Nayantara Sahgal said at the inauguration of The Hindu Lit for Life 2015 here on Friday. Ms. Sahgal said there could be a platform or union for writers, publishers and artists to come together and speak in one voice when writers are in danger.
Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu , N. Ravi, said though this period has rather been seen as a liberal age, the spirit of intolerance still thrives. “Writers, publishers and creative artists are forced to pay a price of living in exile, fear and hiding; as with the most recent case of Perumal Murugan, there has been a stilling of his creative voice,” he said.
Writers, especially those dealing with deeper social issues have to soldier on, expecting the state to act firmly in defence of their freedom of expression and stave off those who seek to silence them, Mr. Ravi said.
“But it is heartening, however, that a great majority of writers can continue with their writing undisturbed by protests and also stand in solidarity with those who are threatened.”
Nirmala Lakshman, Director, Kasturi and Sons Limited, who conceptualised the first Lit For Life event in 2010, said there would be a special session to take forward the challenges to free speech.
“Just a few days back, we planned to invite Perumal Murugan to the festival to speak of repression and threats he faced. But things have taken a sorry turn and he has given up writing,” she said.
