Stay put, cops tell litfest producer
The 6th Jaipur Literature Festival ended on Monday while the police asked the producer of the JLF, Mr Sanjoy Roy, not to leave the city till the investigation in a criminal complaint against author and sociologist Ashis Nandy.
“I have been asked to remain in Jaipur for the investigation,” said Mr Roy. JLF co-director Namita Gokhle said the festival had been a success, describing it as being like the Kumbh’s shahi snan of literature. Meanwhile, noted dalit writer Kancha IIaiah said Nandy had made a bad statement with good intentions.
The police told Mr Roy he would be needed for the investigation. “We have already submitted the videotape and transcript of Nandy’s remarks,” said Mr Roy. “We are abiding by the law and cooperating with the police,” he added.
Noted dalit writer Kancha IIaiah came out in support of Ashis Nandy. “We cannot treat him as anti-reservation,” Ilaiah said, adding, “In my view, it will not be a legal problem. How we interpret Nandy’s remarks, that is the issue. It was miscommunication and now the issue should be put to an end.”
Interestingly, the Non-reservation Employees Association has welcomed Nandy’s remarks while SC/ST employees’ organisations have condemned him for his comments. The organisers said the festival was successful in terms of participation of writers and intellectuals as well as the crowd. Last year, it drew over 1,22,000 people, and we believe the number will touch two lakhs,” said a JLF official.
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