Wreath Placed at Writer's Home in Kannur Following Controversial Book Launch
In a disturbing incident early Thursday morning, a wreath was discovered outside the residence of noted writer and cultural critic V S Anilkumar at Kannapuram in Kannur district. The discovery was made by Anilkumar's son, an eighth-standard student, who noticed the object near the gate inside their compound around 5:30 AM while leaving for football coaching.
Link to Book Launch Event Raises Suspicions
This event follows Anilkumar's recent participation in the release function of the book Nethruthwathe Anikal Thiruthanam, written by expelled Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader V Kunhikrishnan. The book launch took place on February 4 in Payyannur, and Anilkumar had received a copy during the ceremony.
When questioned about a potential connection between the wreath placement and his attendance at the book launch, Anilkumar refrained from speculation. "I do not wish to speculate, and it is the police's responsibility to identify those responsible," he stated. However, he emphasized that such acts represent an erosion of democratic values, where criticism and disagreement should be accepted openly.
Anilkumar's Defiant Response to Intimidation
Anilkumar, who is the son of the late Marxist thinker and literary critic M N Vijayan, strongly condemned the act, describing it as an outdated tactic of intimidation. "Only thieves and cowards act under the cover of darkness, and I am not ready to fear cowards," he declared, asserting that he would not be intimidated by such actions.
He further noted that while he has not received any direct threats since the book launch, a local activist had made a tacit warning in a Facebook post. The post suggested that if anyone tried to provoke them, they would react, hinting at underlying tensions in the community.
Kunhikrishnan Comments on Freedom of Expression
Meanwhile, V Kunhikrishnan, the author of the book, commented on the incident, implying that the timing points to likely perpetrators. "If anyone did this act at this moment, one could assume who could have done it," he said, without naming anyone directly. He added that the act appears to be an attempt to restrict freedom of expression, highlighting concerns over shrinking democratic spaces.
The police have been informed and are investigating the matter to identify those responsible for placing the wreath. The incident has sparked discussions about political intolerance and the challenges faced by intellectuals in expressing dissenting views in Kerala's cultural landscape.
