KOZHIKODE: Youth leader P.K. Firos, writer Narayan, and actor Mamukkoya represent different walks of life, and their interests may not be common. As they spoke at various sessions on the second day of the Festival of Democracy here on Sunday, there seemed to be agreement on the changing definition of freedom in the country.

Mr. Firos, State general secretary of the Muslim Youth League, while speaking at a session on Celebrating Freedom, pointed out that only a few got the fruit of freedom, while the dispensation ruling the country was trying to marginalise other sections of society, like minorities. Towards this goal, efforts are on to portray Muslims as the other and turn public conscience against them, he observed.

He said while he was attending a press meet in New Delhi, some journalists from Kerala had asked him as to why the largest number of Muslim terrorists who joined terror outfits were from Kerala.

I failed to understand from which source they got the information. There are around 90 lakh Muslims in the State, of whom around 20 are suspected to have joined Islamic State. How can you paint the entire community as a breeding ground for terrorists? he asked.

Mr. Firos said such experiences would make anyone insecure. On this January 26, one Intelligence Bureau official called me to ask if I had observed Republic Day, as if suspecting my commitment to the nation. I have never had such experiences in my life, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Narayan, the author of the path-breaking novel, Kocharethi, which chronicles the life of the tribal population, alleged that some people were dictating to writers as to what they should write and what they should not.

He was speaking at a session on My Writing, My Freedom. The National Book Trust [NBT] had earlier decided to publish the translated versions of some of my short stories in English and other Indian languages. After the change of guard at the Centre, the NBT chairman was replaced with someone who had earlier worked with Panchajanya, who said there was no need to publish my stories, he said.

Injustice

Mr. Narayan added that Oxford University Press had described him as the first novelist from the tribal community in south India. By not publishing my works, they [NBT] have done injustice to an important section of the Indian population, he added. Mr. Mamukkoya, who earlier opened the session on Celebrating Freedom, pointed out: We could have freedom only if we permit others to raise their opinions. Going by the recent developments, I dont know how long this freedom will last. What we can do is preserve whatever independence we have. Religious organisations and political parties will not discuss this issue as their views on freedom are different.

He said holding long lectures would not do any good, but there should be discussions, creative criticism, and joint celebration of freedom, which should be a model for future generations.

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Concern over changing definitions of freedom - The Hindu