Thiruvananthapuram: Writer N.S. Madhavan has said that the writers of non-fiction were facing the maximum threats from extremists and intolerant elements these days. "Pansare was killed for his research book titled 'Shivaji Kon Hota' ('Who was Shivaji'), which portrayed Shivaji contrary to the popular notions projected by Hindutva forces. M.N. Kalburgi was killed for being a rationalist and Gouri Lankesh was a journalist," he said. Mr Madhavan was speaking at the G. Rajesh Kumar memorial lecture on 'Threats faced by freedom of expression from the state and mob' held at the Press Club here on Thursday.
'Understanding Islam through Hadis,' a book by Ram Swarup, which dealt with a study based on the belief of Sahih Muslims on the prophet, was banned after its Hindi translation hurt the sentiments of some Islamic groups. The book 'Red Sari,' the biography of Sonia Gandhi in Spanish, was banned after its Hindi translation was brought out. The ban was later withdrawn only after the BJP government came to power, said Mr Madhavan. The writers are silenced through murders as well as by mob action. Mr U.R. Ananthamoorthi was threatened in his last days through this technique, said Mr Madhavan.
The writers impose self-censorship by being politically correct and not criticizing the Left or the human rights notion propagated by political Islamist sans women's right. "This is why the content of the mainstream Malayalam literary magazines except their titles looks similar," he said. The threat to freedom of expression comes also in the form of withdrawal of books by publishers, said Mr Madhavan. The 10th commemoration lecture on the late Rajesh Kumar, who was a reporter with 'Madhyamam,' was organised by his friends.
