It seems the caste outfits have hounded writer Perumal Murugan to give up his writing career.
According to officials, almost all protesters at the “peace meeting” held at the Namakkal Collectorate on Monday were from caste groups. Around 40 representatives representing various organisations which include Kongu Nadu Makkal Desiya Katchi, Sengunthar Mahajana Sangam, Arulmigu Ardhanareeswarar Girivala Nala Sangam, Kongu Vellalar Sangam and Morur Kannan Kulam Kongu Nattu Vellalar Sangam had participated in the meeting. According to revenue officials, these outfits were invited for talks as they had petitioned to the district administration and police seeking a ban on the book and action against the writer. Though members of the Hindu Munnani were present at the Collectorate, they did not participate in the meeting, officials said.
Meanwhile, it is the students of Perumal Murugan, a Tamil professor at the Government Arts College, Namakkal, who are providing round-the-clock security to his family residing in Kongu Nagar for the past one month. Perumal Murugan’s wife is also a writer and works in the same Tamil Department. “The family has been receiving threat calls. Therefore, we are with them,” says a former student. “He taught us to overcome fear in life. We thought it is our duty to be with him in this difficult time,” he said. Though the writer sought protection and submitted petition to Superintendent of Police, no security cover has been provided and hence a group of former students took up the task, he adds.
