KOCHI: Those who seek legal action against Arundhati Roy for her ‘anti-Gandhi’ remarks have a poor understanding of Gandhi, said KPCC vice-president V D Satheesan MLA.
“There is no need of a case against Arundhati, and any move in that direction will be resisted,” he said.
“Gandhiji is not beyond criticism. However, many of Arundhati’s remarks have crossed the limits of criticism, and have become abuse.
“Hence, a resolution, by condemning her speech in a decent and soft manner, was presented by me and passed at the KPCC meet,” Satheesan said.
“Arundhati has the right to criticize Gandhi. We too have the right to express our opinion that her statement is incorrect,” said Satheesan in a statement.
“The Indian freedom movement had turned out to be unique as it involved an agitation for social justice, parallel to one for political freedom. Gandhiji’s tryst with Sree Narayana Guru and Ayyankali at their residencies during his visit to Kerala was with the hope that the meeting would bring a new orientation to the the freedom movement.
“When they addressed Gandhiji ‘Mahatma’, his reaction was that the salutation suited them better,” he said.
Satheesan called Arundhati Roy’s description of the ‘Salt Sathyagraha’ as ‘greed’ a ‘distorted opinion lacking sense of history’.
“However, we respect her freedom to say that. There is no need of a case or arrest against her, and if anyone is making such a move, it is due to their lack of understanding of Gandhiji,” Satheesan added.