There is a climate of intolerance that has been unfortunately given free rein in many parts of the country, according to Shashi Tharoor, MP.

Mr. Tharoor was delivering the keynote address at the inter-collegiate seminar on ‘Bigotry and textual practice - Reflections on intolerance in contemporary culture,’ organised by the Department of English at the Christian College in Chengannur on Saturday.

Sustained pressure

Tamil writer Perumal Murugan had to declare that he was giving up writing following sustained pressure from certain caste-based groups that had protested against his novel Mathorubagan , he said.

Mr. Tharoor also stressed the need for social conscientisation too in colleges and universities.

T.M.Yohannan, renowned academic, inaugurated the seminar at a function presided by College Principal Achamma Alex earlier, in the forenoon.