‘Meesha’ hits stores in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Controversial novel 'Meesha' on Wednesday hit the stands, days after Malayalam writer S Hareesh withdrew its serialization in a Malayalam weekly after being allegedly threatened by some right-wing elements on social media. The 328-page novel has been brought out by DC Books.

The Sahitya Academy award winner had earlier decided to withdraw serialization of his novel after publishing just three chapters in the 'Mathrubhumi' following attacks against him and his family, allegedly by a group of pro-Hindutva activists, on social media.

After DC Books decided to publish the work, personal attacks were made by some persons against Ravi Deecee, CEO, following which he had filed a police complaint.

In a statement, the publishers said if 'Meesha' is not published now, it would be difficult to print a novel or story in future." "To publish the works of Basheer, VKN, Changampuzha and VT or that of today's writers, we may have to seek permission of several persons.

So, we are publishing the novel 'Meesha' and we seek the support of all," the statement said.

"S Hareesh withdraws his novel 'Meesha', literature is being mob lynched, darkest day in Kerala's cultural history, lightless days to follow," Kamalram Sajeev, the editor of Mathrubhumi, had tweeted.

A group of people, suspected to be Hindu Aikya Vedi activists, had also disrupted a book exhibition of the Mathrubhumi group held at Thripunithura in Kochi as a mark of protest against the novel.