Literary meet slams violation of freedom of expression

In the wake of protests against noted writer Anand Yadav over his alleged defamatory portrayal of saint Tukaram, a resolution adopted at the 82nd All India Marathi Sahitya Sammelan has asked the Maharashtra government to ensure individual's freedom of expression.
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The religious Warkari sect insisted that Yadav should step down from the presidential post of the literary body alleging that his novel 'Santsurya Tukaram' contains a defamatory depiction of saint Tukaram.
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"Some of the incidents that happened prior to the meet showed a mindset to misuse organised strength of certain groups to hold literary and cultural fraternity to ransom," said the resolution that was passed in the concluding session of the three-day meet.

The protests had resulted in the resignation of Anand Yadav from the post.