A Malayalam writer was allegedly assaulted on Sunday night by four persons for writing a short-story collection with the word “padachon” (Malayalam word for ‘allah’ or ‘creator’) in its title.
Author of ‘Padachonte Chitrapradarshanam’, P Jimshar was attacked while he waiting at a bus stand in Kuttanad, in Palakkad district. According to his friend Lasar Shine who spoke about this to the media, the assaulters demanded to know how he could have named a book after the creator.
While Jimshar was admitted to Kuttnad Modern Hospital after the attack, Chalissery police have taken a case against three people including a man named Jafar, according to a Kairali report.
“My story may or may not be about God, but that can be debated. But physically attacking me without even reading the story is a crime. We are part of a culture where renowned author Vaikom Muhammad Basheer had named his book, Oru Bhagavad Gitayum Kure Mulakalum,” said Jimshar.
Jimshar in hospital
Jimshar’s book was also supposed to feature at a DC book festival on August 5.
He also told TNM that he had started receiving threat calls and messages after he publicized the book on social media. The police however, is skeptical about the case. They said they would have to first verify the authenticity of the complaint.
“Based on Jimshar's complaint, we have registered a case against four people – including one Jafar and three others. We are also looking into other motivations for the attack," said Rajesh Kumar, House Officer, Chalissery police station, adding that he good give more details only after a proper enquiry.