Dalit writer Kusum Meghwal threatened over book on Maharana Pratap
JAIPUR: 69-year-old Dalit writer Kusum Meghwal has alleged threat to her life over objection by a few groups on her new book on Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap.
According to the complaint filed by the writer at Ambamata police station in Udaipur, she had been receiving threat calls from a few fringe groups since the past week over her portrayal of the Rajput warrior in her book 'Maharana Pratap Bhil Rajputra The - Kshatriya Ya Rajput Nahi'.
The book claims that Maharana Pratap belonged to the Bhil community and was elevated as Rana of Mewar later.
Meghwal claimed that she was also being bullied on social media for raising a fresh debate on the warrior. "The writer had lodged a complaint following which I have asked the police official concerned to investigate the matter. She has given us the phone numbers and a probe is underway," SP Udaipur, Rajendra Prasad told PTI.
An author of over 65 books, Meghwal alleged that she had received calls from individuals claiming themselves to be Thakurs and from Karni Sena. "I have been getting calls from unknown numbers who are threatening to kill me for writing the book. Some of the callers claim they are from the Karni Sena while others say they are Thakurs. I have not ventured out from my house in the last seven days,” she said in her complaint.
The Ambedkarite writer further stated that the word 'Bhil' comes from Sanskrit word 'Bhilla', which means brave and martial. The Bhil community has traditionally been spread all over Mewar and known for their martial prowess. The BJP-led Rajasthan government had earlier raked up controversy while stating that Maharana Pratap had won the famous battle of Haldighati, contrary to conventional wisdom that his adversary Mughal emperor Akbar was the winner.