When you speak uncomfortable truths, you pay with blood: Dr. Meena Kandasamy in Mangaluru
Fifth PP Gomathi Memorial Lecture held
Mangaluru: Dr. Meena Kandasamy, a noted writer, poet, and anti-caste activist, delivered an incisive fifth PP Gomathi memorial lecture on ‘Writing for Resistance’ at Sahodaya, Mangaluru, on Tuesday. The event was organized by the PP Gomathi Memorial Education Trust in collaboration with the Karnataka Theological Research Institute. Addressing the audience, Dr. Kandasamy delved into the perilous intersection of writing, resistance, and censorship in contemporary India, drawing attention to the struggles faced by writers who dare to speak uncomfortable truths.
Dr. Kandasamy opened her speech by expressing gratitude to the organizers and acknowledging the sacrifices of late writers M.M. Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh, both of whom were assassinated for their fearless expressions of dissent. “When you speak uncomfortable truths, you pay with blood,” she remarked, emphasizing the deadly consequences writers in India face for their boldness.
She lamented the current environment where dissent is stifled, and critical voices are labeled as threats to the nation. “Why is it that writers are either killed or imprisoned?” she asked, highlighting how the state equates the pens of activists and writers to the guns of insurgents by branding them as “Urban Naxals.” She warned that such comparisons legitimize the state’s persecution of dissenting voices.
Dr. Kandasamy further criticized the misuse of state machinery, such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to silence political figures and activists. She said these agencies, originally intended to uphold justice, have become tools of suppression, adding that writers increasingly find themselves victims of censorship.
Reflecting on the vital role of storytelling, she noted the heavy burden placed on individuals who protest against injustice. “When people are already burdened by protesting, why do we want to burden them further with the responsibility of telling their stories? That is where writers play a crucial role,” she said. According to her, storytelling is not just an act of resistance but a necessary means to expose injustices and amplify voices that often go unheard.
In a poignant observation, Dr. Kandasamy stated, “In this country, even reading is resistance, not just writing,” urging the audience to critically engage with literature in a time of widespread repression.
She cited the example of Mohammed Zubair, a journalist and fact-checker who has faced multiple legal challenges for exposing hate speech. She pointed out how he is being accused of compromising India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity, epitomizing the growing trend of portraying truth-tellers as enemies of the state.
The lecture concluded with a call for resilience among writers and readers alike. Dr. Kandasamy expressed hope that those who speak the truth, expose injustices, and offer solace to the oppressed would be recognized as the true patriots.
The event commenced with a welcome note by Prof. KP Vasudev, who introduced Dr. Kandasamy to the audience. Christopher George, Director of Karnataka Theological Research Institute, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude for the insightful session. Dr. B Srinivas Kakkilaya, coordinated the event while media scholar Sindhu Manjesh was also present on the dias.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
