Kalam Book Release and Gender Bias Religious leader refuses to share bias with a woma
Thrissur: The book release function of ‘Kaalatheetham’, a Malayalam translation of late former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s book ‘Transcendence My Spiritual Experience with Pramukh Swamiji’ has been cancelled amid protests over the issue that Sreedevi S Kartha, who translated the book, was allegedly asked to abstain from the function.
The book was supposed to be released by Kalam’s co-author Arun Tiwari and eminent Malayalam writer MT Vasudevan Nair, says Malayala Manorama.
The book release function organized by Current Books, Thrissur, on Saturday had reportedly asked Sreedevi not to attend the function, citing the mere fact that one of the chief guests Swami Brahmavihari Das of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha doesn’t entertain to share dais with women. She was informed this through one of their staff.
Sreedevi took the issue to social media platform Facebook where she wrote about the atrocities practiced by the swami.
“The first three rows in the hall must be reserved for swamiji’s followers so that they can ensure that even the impure shadow of woman must not fall on him,” she wrote on her Facebook wall. Her post was shared over 5000 and got around 7000 likes until now.
Mean while KJ Johny, publishing manager of Current Books, Thrissur, said that they do not usually invite the persons who translates the book for the book release function. “We have no idea about such rules of the ashram. No such message was conveyed to Sreedevi,” a media report said here.
The other guests of the event are co-writer of the book Arun Tiwari and writer MT Vasudevan Nair.
According to Times Of India, Sreedevi told them that a staff of Current books called her a week ago and said that she should not come as it would be against Ashram rules. “I first thought it as a joke and wait till the eve of the event. Then I decided to make it public as it is more a public issue than a personal one,” she said.
“The hidden dangers in the issue shocked me more than the personal insult as a writer. What is the difference between Taliban, which asked women not to show other body parts except eyes, and Indian culture, which bars women from attending public functions,” she asked in her post.
Sreedevi said she was asked by the publishers to stay away from the dais as Brahmavihari Das does not want to share stage with women. Though the publishers, Current Books Thrissur, said they do not usually invite translators to book release functions.
The book originally titled “Transcendence: My Spiritual Experience with Pramukh Swamiji” has been translated as “Kaalaatheetham”. Brahmavihari Das is a disciple of Pramukh Swami, whom Kalam used to consider his Guru.
The book was supposed to be released by Kalam’s co-author Arun Tiwari and eminent Malayalam writer MT Vasudevan Nair, says Malayala Manorama.
Leave a Reply