Malayalam Writer Booked For Sedition For ‘Insulting’ National Anthem

Kamal C Chavara, a Malayalam writer and theatre artiste, has been arrested by the Kerala Police for allegedly disrespecting the national anthem. Reportedly, charges of sedition were slapped on him.

Yuvamorcha, the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party, activists had lodged complained against him for posting some excerpts from his novel "Smasanangulude Nottupusthakam" on Facebook, which they alleged was an insult to the national anthem. The alleged post is still seen on his Facebook profile.

He reacted to his arrest by posting on Facebook: “I don’t have money with me. Neither do have any lawyer. Waiting for the Court to set me on bail.”

Last week, around 20 persons were arrested in Kerala for allegedly failing to stand while the national anthem was being played at cinema halls.

This article has been made possible because of financial support from Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation.