Though support from writers, political parties and well-wishers keep pouring in for Perumal Murugan, author of Madhorubhagan , his house here wears a deserted look. He has confined himself to his home after the controversy over his book erupted.
The street where he lives is quiet and calm and most of his neighbours are teachers. His students keep visiting him and are let in. But the requests of media persons for interview are gently turned down. “He is slowly recovering and needs time,” says a friend of the author.
The writer interacts with students at his residence and also at the Government Arts and Science College in Namakkal, where he is the Professor of Tamil Department.
“When faculty members and students approach him and inquire about the book and the controversy surrounding it, the professor confines himself only to academics,” says a colleague. His wife, also a writer, works in the same department.
The closure of his web page and the Facebook account by the writer himself has come as a big blow to his many students and followers. “His web page contained valuable and rare information pertaining to the region. Now the source is cut off,” said a research scholar.
A group of students have opened a new Facebook page, ‘Support Perumal Murugan Movement’, to garner support.
After the “peace talks” at the Collectorate here, the police are providing round-the-clock security at his residence to prevent any untoward incident.
