Chennai: Writers and political parties welcomed the Madras High Court order in favour of Perumal Murugan, author of the novel Madhorubhagan, granting him relief from all the controversies that shrouded the work of fiction. They unanimously hailed the verdict as a victory for freedom of expression. Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association whose former president S.Tamilselvan moved the high court in solidarity with the writer, welcomed the judgment saying that the order gives confidence to those who had fought for the freedom of expression.
In a statement, TNPWAA urged the writers should continue to take forward progressive ideas to the people through their works rather than being cowed down by the intimidation and threat. It also thanked the advocates, writers and other organisaiton who had fought for the freedom of expression. When his reaction was sought, writer Perumal Murugan said that he would comment after reading the high court order fully.
CPI (M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan welcomed the order saying it strengthens the Tamil Nadu people's right to think and freedom of expression. He said that the judges not only rejected the false propaganda of casteist and religious groups but also made it clear that the decision taken at the state sponsored peace meeting in Namakkal would not be binding on him. The court also quashed the FIR filed against the writer.
Writer and VCK general secretary D. Ravikumar demanded that the state government implement the five guidelines pointed out in the high court judgement immediately. “One of the points is formation of a committee comprising of eminent writers to look into such issues concerning the literary works in future,” he said. However, he wondered why nobody sought the ban on Manu Smriti that preaches and legitimise inequality but wanted to ban a fictional work.
Mr Ravikumar demanded that the Centre introduce a special legislation to curb hate speech or campaign. "United Nations has been urging the countries to legislate against hate speech. India being a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights it should introduce a law against hate speech,” he demanded.
