THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after writer S Hareesh announced his decision to withdraw his maiden novel 'Meesha', which was being serialized in Mathrubhumi weekly, owing to threat from right-wing outfits, several political leaders and writers have expressed solidarity with the writer. Senior CPM leader V S Achuthanandan wanted the novelist to reconsider his decision, while writers and other artists in general declared their support to Hareesh."All those who believe in progressive and democratic values should come forward to break the political fangs of hatred and intolerance. Instead of being weak-kneed before the threats of Sangh Parivar, Hareesh should rethink his decision. Mathrubhumi should also show the resolve to continue the publication of the novel," Achuthanandan said.Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of the novel were highly embarrassing. "It's frightening to note that Kerala too is under the threat of these fascist forces. Those who try to hunt down the writer for what one of his character has said doesn't know what literature and culture mean," Chennithala said. He also said that the home department's indifferent attitude towards the cyber-attacks against the novelist and his family members was dubious.Documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, speaking at a protest meeting organized in the sidelines of the International Documentary and Short Film Festival here, said, "Every society should allow some amount of blasphemy. The state government should give the writer protection from the forces that tries to cow him down."Novelist Benyamin, however, turned critical of Hareesh's decision to withdraw the novel. He said the withdrawal by Hareesh would be dubbed as the cowardice of the entire writing community. It must be the apolitical moorings of the writer that prompted him to think that he was alone in the fight. "You should stand on your feet, avoid being apolitical and believe in politically aware majority in Kerala. You should show the gumption to publish the novel in book format at the earliest," said Benyamin in his Facebook post."Hareesh has just passed the first phase of his literary career. It's certain that Malayalam would get valuable contributions from him. Those who created a situation that prompted the novelist to withdraw his work should indulge in an earnest introspection," witer Sarah Joseph said.

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