After Perumal Murugan, another Tamil writer beaten up for 'derogatory references'

Close on the heels of the controversy surrounding author Perumal Murugan’s work Mathorubagan, an upcoming writer in Karur was allegedly assaulted by members of a particular community accusing him of making some derogatory references in his novel. ‘Puliyur’ Murugesan was roughed up by for allegedly making some derogatory references in his work Balachandran Enra Peyarum Enakkundu (Balachandran is also my name) on Wednesday, police said. Peeved by the alleged derogatory references, some local people roughed him up but “he is alright,” a senior police official told PTI. “He is alright. There are no issues,” he said adding the matter was being probed. Police said that some of the members belonging to the particular community had also staged a road blockade and demanded that the government ban the book. [caption id=“attachment_2100143” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. PTI[/caption] The incident comes close on the heels of author Perumal Murugan episode, where locals aided by some groups had opposed his alleged derogatory references to Tiruchengode area. Irked by the opposition and after having tendered an unconditional apology in a conciliatory meeting convened by local authorities, he had retreated into a self-imposed exile, declaring on Facebook that the ‘Writer Perumal Murugan is dead’, sparking concerns for freedom of expression. PTI