Threat To Chop Off Arms and Legs of Kerala Writer Ramanunni

Writer K P Ramanunni has received a threat letter asking him to convert into Islam or his hands and legs would be chopped off.

Renowned and sometimes controversial Kerala author K P Ramanunni has received 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.

He filed a police complaint today after he received the letter at his Kozhikode residence six days ago.

The writer refused to speculate on the group behind such a letter, but said 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.

The author has been writing a series in a newspaper on religious harmony wherein he took potshots at certain Muslim and Hindu beliefs. The threat letter alleged that some of the recent articles amounted to “misleading” the Muslim youth.

It also warned that Ramanunni would meet the same fate as that of professor T J Joseph, whose right arm was chopped off by the members of a radical Muslim outfit 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 has been launched.

The right arm of Joseph, who was a professor in the Thodupuzha New Man College, was chopped off while he was returning home from the Sunday mass at a church in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district on July 4, 2010.

A novelist and short story writer, Ramanunni is a recipient of the 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.