The growing intolerance to freedom of expression which resulted in yet another attack on a Dalit writer in Karnataka evoked strong criticism by Sangamam, a city-based forum of literary organisations and secular democrats.
The latest incident of alleged kidnap and assault of 23-year-old Huchangi Prasad took place at Davangere on Friday even as the Sahitya Akademi issued an official statement in condemnation of recent attacks which include murder of noted Kannada scholar M.M. Kalburgi and smearing of Observer Research Foundation chairman Sudheendra Kulkarni with black paint.
Mr. Prasad was allegedly beaten up by some right-wing activists, who warned him against making disparaging remarks on Hindu religion through his literary works. He was accused of drumming up support for conferment of lifetime achievement award by Karnataka Sahitya Academy on a progressive writer K.S. Bhagwan whose literary works stoked religious passions.
Mr. Bhagwan had released a controversial book written by Mr. Prasad earlier this year.
Terming Friday’s incident as unfortunate, Divi Kumar, a member of Sangamam and general secretary of Jana Sahiti, told The Hindu that the right-wing groups were encouraged to do moral policing as no deterrent action was taken against them.
“This is not the first time that a writer or someone expressing their feelings has been attacked. I am sure more such things will happen as long as the rulers do not crack the whip. It was only because of pressure mounted by organisations like ours that forced the Sahitya Akademi to condemn the recent incidents,” Mr. Kumar observed.
He said while taking a clear stand against attacks on writers and other literary personalities, Sangamam was treading carefully on highly sensitive issues like food habits that assumed a religious hue in the recent past.
However, it would continue to raise its voice against the acts of intolerance which precipitate crises of law and order. “We cannot allow the image of India to be tarnished by a few religious fanatics,” he added.
In a meeting convened in the town here on Saturday, Sangamam members passed a resolution condemning the incidents and called upon people to not fall prey to the machinations of those who resort to attacks to further their devious agenda.
