Literature must have a Lakshman Rekha: Subramanian Swamy

Rajyasabha MP Subramanian Swamy, senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar with others releasing a book on ‘Konark’ during 3rd Kalinga Literary festival in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. (PTI Photo)

Suggesting that literary freedom is not absolute, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy Saturday said literature must draw its own “Lakshman Rekha”.

“I think literature that actually emphasises the misery that some people suffer should be there. Nobody can ban that. At the same time, you cannot advocate, write and propagate what you want in the name of free society or democracy. There are reasonable restrictions in it as said in the Constitution,” he said while delivering his keynote address at the Kalinga Literary Festival here.

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Swamy said Indian literature needs to be liberated from the “impact of Left ideology”, adding that there was no need for “award wapsi” as institutions of democracy were in full strength.