Famous Malayali author, KP Ramanunni, lodged a police complaint in connection to an anonymous threat letter warning him that his right arm and left leg would be chopped off if he did not convert to Islam within six months.
The letter was sent to his Kozhikode residence six days ago.
The author said that though there was no indication as to who had sent the letter, it was understood that it was posted from Manjeri in Malappuram district.
“I am not aware of the motive behind the letter. I filed a complaint with the Kozhikode city police commissioner today, urging him to look into the matter,” he told PTI.
Initially, Ramanunni had ignored the letter but later filed a police complaint on the recommendation of other senior writers.
The letter alleged that some of the recent articles written by Ramanunni were ‘misleading’ the Muslim youth.
It also warned that the award-winning author would also meet the same fate as that of Professor T J Joseph, whose right arm was chopped off by the members of a radical Muslim group for allegedly hurting their religious sentiments through a question paper he had set.
“Like T J Joseph, your right arm will be cut off…your left leg too. You are given six months to convert to Islam. If you do not embrace Islam, we will inflict Allah’s punishment on you,” the letter said.
The police said a probe was launched on the basis of the complaint.
Joseph’s right arm was chopped off while he was returning home from the Sunday mass at a church in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district on 4 July 2010.
A novelist and short story writer, Ramanunni has received the prestigious Kerala Sahitya Academy Award and Vayalar Award among other literary acclaims.
A film was also made on his debut novel, ‘Sufi Paranja Katha’, which revolved around the love story of a Muslim man and a Hindu woman.
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