A court in Tamil Nadu's Karur District on Friday granted anticipatory bail to Tamil author 'Puliyur' Murugesan, who has come under attack from the Kongu community for the contents of his first book. The author has said he fears for the safety of his family. He now becomes the second author after Perumal Murugan to face the ire of Kongu activists in a matter of months.
The row has broken out over Mr Murugesan's book, 'Balakumaran Endra Peyarum Enakku Undu' (Balakumaran Is My Other Name), a collection of short stories. One of the short stories deals with an incestuous relationship between a man and his daughter-in-law, taking advantage of his son's effeminate nature.
However, Mr Murugesan has said his story was a work of fiction and that it is meant to underline the sexual exploitation of transgenders. "I was willing to apologise, but they attacked me. Superficially, it may look obscene. But if you read it in the transgenders' perspective, you'd appreciate it," said Mr Murugesan, who has alleged that he had been abducted and roughed up by those opposing his book.
Mr Murugesan is now in hospital, under police protection. Police have also denied access to the media, claiming that his comments could trigger communal clashes. As part of the conditions for his anticipatory bail, he has been has asked him to sign every day at local Tuticorin court.
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