In conversation with Hoshang Merchant
I spoke to Hoshang Merchant few months back with regard to my research work. The inimitable poet was at his sarcastic best, refusing to be politically correct and taking potshots at the who’s who in feminist and queer circles. What you read here is a less censored version of the interview that was published in Firstpost few weeks back. RD. Last year we witnessed tremendous outrage from the intelligentsia due to the murders of several authors, rationalists and people from religious minorities. In that context where do you locate your dissidence? HM: Let me tell you dear, I am not from any political wing. Do you really want to hear my answer? Mr Kalburgi was not killed by those who opposed him but by his own men – his own Lingayat faction. They are politically very strong in Karnataka; you can not go against them. He had no business insulting innocent ignorant villagers telling them that they are worshipping stones, not gods. Devotees are not fools. Those stones for them ...