CHENNAI: The English translation of a Tamil novel by Sahitya Akademi winning author RN Joe D'Cruz has been axed by Delhi-based publisher Navayana because of his explicit statements in support of 's prime ministerial candidate .

Tamil novelist R.N. Joe D’Cruz on Sunday claimed that he was facing ‘intellectual threats’ after he expressed his support for BJP’s prime ministerial candidate on a social networking site.

D’Cruz, whose second novel, Korkai, won him the prestigious literary award, said his publisher had decided to cancel the agreement signed with him and withdrew the English translation of his first novel, Aazhi Soozh Ulagu, because of his political inclinations.

The book, D'Cruz's first Tamil novel titled Aazhi Soozh Ulagu (Ocean Ringed World), was reportedly to be released later this year and was being translated by author V Geetha.

"It is both appalling that D’Cruz, who captured the rich and unique history of the seafaring community of Tamil Nadu in an epic tale spanning three generations, should call a fascist like Modi a 'dynamic visionary'...However, there cannot be a place for such an author in a political publishing house like Navayana," S Anand of Navyana was quoted as saying in the Deccan Chronicle.

D'Cruz has said he is contemplating legal action against the publisher. V Geetha, who said she was withdrawing her translation of the book, told the newspaper that she stood by the novel but she's didn't want "to be associated with anyone of anything linked to Modi. We can’t forget Gujarat 2002 (riots) and no one must be allowed to, either," she further added, "I still stand by his novel, which I think is a fantastic saga of fisher life, and I am sorry Joe has decided to trade his considerable gifts as a novelist for a politics that is fascist and dangerous."

Noted Tamil writer B. Jeyamohan stated that it was a pity that a few people like this publishing house were not able to understand the creative work of a writer. “They cannot pressurise the writer to think in a particular way. It actually sets a bad precedent,” he added.

D'Cruz has said he is contemplating legal action against the publishing house given the project that has been underway for over a year, has been dropped altogether. However, he defended his decision to back the BJP's prime ministerial candidate and said it was based on his first hand experience of seeing development in Gujarat. Denying that he had endorsed Modi because he now supported Hindutva, D'Cruz said he is a devout Catholic.