Left outfit condemns Narendra Modi fans' joke on UR Ananthamurthy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A leading pro-Left cultural outfit in Kerala has condemned the act of a group of Narendra Modi fans in Karnataka sending a travel itinerary to eminent writer UR Ananthamurthy for his controversial comment that he would leave the country if the BJP icon became the Prime Minister.

In a statement here, 'Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham' (Pukasa) urged all "secular and progressive" movements in the country to come together in protest against the act of the "NaMo Brigade".

"Personalities like Ananthamurthy had protested in the same way many others raised their voice against late prime minister Indira Gandhi when she declared emergency. But, this is for the first time that this kind of intolerance being shown against a writer," Pukasa General Secretary V N Murali said.

'NaMo Brigade', a group of volunteers that was formed with a mission - 'Narendra Modi for PM', recently sent a one way travel itinerary to Ananthamurthy to Karachi, soon after exit polls were announced.

Ananthamurthy, who once said that he would leave the country if Modi becomes the Prime Minister, later clarified that those remarks were made when he was overcome by emotion.