'Kallan Vijayan' headache for Deshabhimani; Weekend edition halted following late uproar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Deshabhimani weekly, which featured the memoir of former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan as the cover story, was held back and didn’t go for publishing. This was due to a controversy over the article published on the last page titled "Kallan Vijayan".

The weekly edition was included on the occasion of the first death anniversary of VS Achuthanandan. The obituary is titled 'Muzhangunnuippozhum Aa Kadalirambam', written by VS's former press secretary and RTI Commissioner K.V. Sudhakaran. It is reported that there was a dispute in the editorial board over the article titled 'Kallan Vijayan Dhanya Nataka Gramam Muthippara P.O' written by T.C. Rajesh on the last page of the edition. The article is about a playwright named Vijayan of Muthippara in Pullampara Grama Panchayat. Dhanya Natak Gramam is owned by Vijayan. The name Kochukallan, which his parents affectionately called him, later became part of his name. Some on the editorial board pointed out that the title 'Kallan Vijayan' would lead to unnecessary misunderstandings and trolls. Then, a decision was made to halt the publishing.

Deshabhimani resident editor M. Swaraj cited technical reasons for the delay in the weekly edition getting published. VS's memorial note was not omitted. Swaraj asked people not to drag VS Achuthanandan into the controversy. The weekly edition will be published on Monday. There will be a special page on VS's memorial on the 21st, but there will be no article or news on Kallan Vijayan.

Meanwhile, Vijayan, a theatre activist, said that he had been called by the newspaper for the article and had provided a photo and information.