Auda Viegas: I am not saying the entire book is bad. I read about what was written by Uday Bhembre. When I got curious, I borrowed a book. When I went through the book, I found five points which I felt were bad and derogatory to women, and one of them was just horrible. Since I have been fighting for women for 25 years now, a thought came to my mind whether I should do something or remain quite just because the writer is sick and the publisher is a woman. But to remain quite was like allowing the evil to take over. Hence, I decided to lodge the police complaint.
TG: But, the book was released in 2013. And, your complaint comes four years later. Why?
Auda: As I said earlier, the book came into the limelight only recently. Nobody talked about this book all this time. I don't know how many people have read the book. When I heard about the book, my question was why people tend to be derogatory to women.
TG: Your complaint has raised suspicion that you have lodged the complaint at the behest of someone. Comment.
Auda: Goa knows Auda Viegas very well. I don't need a certificate from anyone. I have taken on anyone, who has abused women, irrespective of his or her background. This is known all over Goa.
TG: Many persons, including some writers have come out clear saying there's nothing vulgar or obscene in the book.
Auda: Vulgarity would not be understood by men. And, I don't believe in these scholars. You don't become a scholar only if you write a book or read literature. Someone has questioned whether I have read literature. I would like to say that I am a post graduate in English literature in aesthetics and also in American literature.
TG: Based on your complaint, the police has registered an FIR. What sort of action do you want the Ponda police to initiate against the writer?
Auda: I am only interested in a deterrent so that poems and books are not derogatory to women or tend to promote casteism. I am only an informant in this case and it is for the courts to decide what sort of action is to be taken against the book or the writer.
