Thiruvananthapuram: A Malayalam short-story writer has withdrawn his novel being serialised in a weekly after he allegedly received threats from right-wing groups.
S Hareesh's first novel 'Meesha' (moustache) was being published as a series in the 'Mathrubhumi' weekly.
Kamal Ram Sajeev, editor of the weekly, on Saturday tweeted that the writer had pulled out the novel.
"S Hareesh withdraws his novel 'Meesha', literature is being mob lynched, darkest day in Keralas cultural history, lightless days to follow," Sajeev said. When contacted, Sajeev told PTI that the writer submitted a letter to the weekly saying he does not want to continue with the novel-series.
"In the letter, Hareesh has said that there was a cyber attack against him and his family and said he was not able to withstand the pressure, so he was withdrawing the novel," the editor said.
Three parts of the novel have been published in the weekly, he added.
Certain right-wing activists have alleged that the novel portrays women visiting temples in a poor light. They also allegedly abused and threatened him and members of his family through the social media.