L Murugan, a writer residing in Chennai, who doesn’t give a shit about the debate around intolerance, announced today that he was returning his award as a mark of protest against rising intolerance in Modi’s India.
Logging on to Facebook via his mobile phone as he slowly paddled through the street near his residence on a makeshift boat, he published the following update:
I am deeply troubled by the increasing number of intolerant episodes in this country perpetuated by fringe groups and elements emboldened by the Modi government’s apathy. I am returning all the awards bestowed on me in my lifetime to protest against this situation. I have a lot more to say on this issue and on PM Modi in particular. Anyone who wants to hear my views is welcome to visit me at No. 34, Rajaji Road, Tambaram, Chennai.
Please share this note widely.
Within three hours (i.e. the time it takes to fly from Delhi to Chennai), top journalists from the biggest media houses in the country were spotted in Tambaram along with their camerapersons asking directions to Murugan’s residence.
(Image via daily-sun.com)
“Oh my God, what the hell is this!? How did all this happen, yaa?” exclaimed Barkha Dutt when she saw the mess left by incessant rains, and ordered her cameraman to take a few shots of the inundated streets.
India Today anchor, Rajdeep Sardesai, who had hitherto restricted himself to tweets on the crisis and occasional laments to his colleagues about the “tyranny of distance”, was seen swimming vigorously through the floodwater towards Murugan’s residence.
A bunch of Chennaiites have also been spreading rumours that Lalit Modi is in the city, and is threatening to reveal a new set of secrets. “That should draw the rest of the journos here,” grinned a Chennai resident. Some others have written to Maharashtra police, requesting them to house Indrani Mukherjea in Chennai Central prison for a few days.
Later, when our correspondent called up Murugan for a quote, he said, “Look, I can be frank with you, as nobody takes you guys seriously. I don’t give a rat’s ass about intolerance. Right now I am more concerned about getting hold of essential food items, staying disease free, and figuring out how the hell I can get rid of all this water inside my house when it is pouring like that outside.”