‘Convert to Islam or your right arm will be chopped off’: writer Ramanunni receives threat letter
- The letter was sent to KP Ramanunni's residence in Kozhikode six days ago
- The letter warned that Ramanunni would meet the same fate as that of professor TJ Joseph
- The police said a probe was launched on the basis of Ramanunni's complaint
FollowRenowned author KP Ramanunni has lodged a police complaint regarding an anonymous threat letter warning him that his arm and leg would be chopped off if he did not convert to Islam within six months.
The letter was sent to Ramanunni's residence in Kozhikode six days ago. The writer said though there was no indication as to who was behind the letter, it was understood that it was posted from Manjeri in Malappuram district.
"I am not aware of the motive behind the letter. I filed a complaint with the Kozhikode city police commissioner on Friday, urging him to look into the matter," PTI quoted him as saying.
Ramanunni said though he had ignored the letter initially, other senior writers advised him to file the police complaint. The letter alleged that some of the recent articles written by the award-winning writer amounted to "misleading" the Muslim youth.
The police said a probe was launched on the basis of Ramanunni's complaint.
The letter also warned that Ramanunni would meet the same fate as that of professor TJ Joseph, whose arm was chopped off by the members of a radical Muslim outfit for allegedly hurting their religious sentiments through a question paper he had set.
"Like TJ Joseph, your right arm will be cut off... your left leg too. You are given six months to convert to Islam. If you do not embrace Islam, we will inflict Allah's punishment on you," the letter said.
The right arm of Joseph, who was a professor in the Thodupuzha New Man College, was chopped off while he was returning home from the Sunday mass at a church in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district on 4 July 2010.
A novelist and short story writer, Ramanunni is a recipient of the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award and Vayalar Award among other literary acclaims. A film was also made on his debut novel 'Sufi Paranja Katha' which revolved around the love story of a Muslim man and a Hindu woman.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that his government will not be a silent spectator to threats to writers and other creative artists.
In a Facebook post, Pinarayi said Kerala has always allowed creative people to express their free and frank opinion and it has always been seen as an expression of their freedom.
“But under no cost would anyone who issues threats and shows intolerance to ones right of freedom be allowed to go scot free. The government will do what is required,” he pointed out.
