KOCHI: Secular writers in Kerala beware! They will have to perform ‘Mrityunjaya homam’ (pooja for long life) if they have to escape the fate of journalist Gauri Lankesh of Bangalore. According to Paravur Congress MLA V.D. Satheesan, this threat was held out by the fiery Hindu Aikya Vedi leader K.P. Sasikala in a speech at a public function held at North Paravur on September 8. However, Ms Sasikala said that Mr Satheesan was trying to defame her. Mr Satheesan has filed a complaint with DGP Loknath Behera saying that Ms Sasikala had threatened the secular writers in the state and asked them to perform ‘Mrityunjaya Homam’ at any Shiva temple to save their lives.
“At the same function, another person threatened to perform my funeral rites. Though the meeting was held in the presence of the police, they have not taken any action,” the MLA said. He has also sought action against Hindu Aikya Vedi leader R.V. Babu and KPMS leader Thuravoor Suresh for their provocative speeches against him. Ms Sasikala denied the charge and told mediapersons that she was referring to the role of the Congress in Karnataka in the killing of Gauri Lankesh and accused Mr Satheesan of taking it out of context to defame her.
“What I told the secular writers here was to perform ‘Mrityunjaya Homam’ to protect themselves from the Congress which could do anything for votes. So I told them to go to some Shiva temple and perform the ritual or else they could be victimised like Gauri Lankesh,” she clarified. DGP Behera has directed the Ernakulam rural police chief to look into Ms Sasikala’s speech and take further action. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also forwarded to Mr Behera a few complaints he had received. The police has collected the video and audio samples of the speeches and will decide on registering a case, said police sources.
