The writer has allegedly accused Mahatma Gandhi as a follower of the caste system.

The Federation of Bar Associations of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry has urged the Kerala government to initiate criminal proceedings against the writer and social activist, Arundhati Roy for accusing Mahatma Gandhi as a follower of the caste system.

Talking to reporters here on Saturday, Federation president P. Paramasivam said the social activist while delivering a speech at Thiruvananthapuram in July this year had belittled the Father of the Nation by stating that his doctrine of non-violence was based on the acceptance of most brutal social hierarchy, the caste system.

She had even questioned whether it was really needed to name the universities after him, which glaringly exposed the antagonism she had against the great soul of the country, he added.

“We hereby urge the Kerala government to initiate criminal proceedings against Arundhati Roy for her comments on Mahatma Gandhi. If they hesitate to respond within a reasonable time, the Federation will take up the issue to the Courts of Law through proper channel,” he added.

Earlier, a resolution urging the Kerala government to initiate criminal proceedings against her was passed at the Federations’ general body meeting. Other resolutions that were passed at the meeting include a monthly stipend for new advocates for two years from the date of their registration, reserving one-third of High Court judge posts for advocates practicing in the districts and filling up of vacancies in judicial officer-level and as well as subordinate staff-level in various courts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.