‘Ready to face whatever comes my way’

Publisher of Apurbai Prakashan, Hema Naik, who published the now-controversial Sudhirsukt, has found herself at the centre of the debate about writer Vishnu Wagh's choice of words in the anthology of Konkani poems. Naik tells TOI of her feelings of hurt at the FIR being directed at her and speaks of how her point of view today differs from the Konkani protagonists with whom she rubbed shoulders during the Konkani movement in the 1980s.

When Sudhirsukt was first published in 2013 were there any such adverse reviews as you see today?

Naik: No. There were no reactions then. We printed around 400 books and all were distributed, mainly in libraries, as the means to distribute Konkani books were limited until recently. Since 1974, I have been publishing books under Apurbai Prakashan - one of the only two longest running publishing houses for Konkani books in Goa - without charging the writer a rupee. The money would be put in from the salary I earned from my earlier bank job. And I would give some of the books to the writer for a fraction of the amount they were actually worth. Nobody would have the courage to speak the things they are speaking today if Vishnu could defend himself. The controvery has been triggered because Vishnu is not in a position to defend himself today.

Some Konkani writers have made statements that the Sudhirsukt controversy could harm the growth of Konkani.

Naik: In fact, I feel Konkani has gained from it. I feel just the opposite has happened. Those making such statements are out of touch with reality. They are not on social media and dont know the pulse of the youth.

With Wagh ill and unable to react to the criticism against his book, you have been left to speak out against most of the backlash. As the issue escalates, do you ever feel a hint of regret now for taking such an active role in defending the book for the author?

Naik: When Vishnu first came to Apurbai Prakashan to get the book published, he told me that the book could become controversial. But he told me 'You dont worry. I will take care of it.' But the book was published and there were no such reaction then. There are so many works of literature that use such language. This is not the first book. Achev by Pundalik Naik, my award-winning book Bhogdand also contain some words. You need to see through the eyes of the writer when you read the book. How could I as the publisher have edited out lines from his book. I contribute articles to dailies and I know how it is when sometimes your work is sought to be edited.

What is your view of the state government deciding to scrap the selection process for the awards and declaring that a new procedure be adopted?

Naik: There are many questions that arise like why was a president not appointed to the Goa Konkani Akademi for such a long gap. The government has said that it is centralising the process and it is not yet clear how. So I dont want to comment on it prematurely. But I feel that Konkani protaganists have become complacent. They are not asking questions.

As an FIR has been filed against you along with Wagh, have you received the kind of support you had expected?

Naik: I have been publishing Konkani books under Apurbai Prakashan since 1974 with no facilities whatsoever. At times, I had to get the books printed from Belgaum. What has hurt me is the FIR against me. I did not publish the book as an irresponsible person. If I was publishing just any rubbish, how do you explain some of the writers whose works I first published, going on to win awards. Who was I to decide not to publish Vishnu's book. As a writer, I know the freedom the writer needs when writing. Those who filed the FIR should have atleast held some dialogue with writers, academicians etc to understand. They have gone and filed an FIR straight away. And they are attacking the writer when he is not in a position to defend himself. It is plain inhuman.

Two youngsters have also started an online campaign #SupportApurbaiPrakashan. What kind of support are you expecting at this stage?

Naik: How many publishing houses are there today in Goa that are printing Konkani literary works? Bhimb by Dilip Borkar and Apurbai Prakashan which I am running. There are some other writers' publishing houses, which only publish their own works. If you attack Apurbai Prakashan, what are you left with. I dont expect anything. I am ready to face whatever comes my way.