NAMAKKAL :The 18-day protests over controversial Tamil novel, Madhorubhagan, on Monday ended with its author Perumal Murugan tendering an unconditional apology for"hurting the sentiments of the people of Tiruchengode". He also decided to withdraw all his novels, short stories, essays and poems published so far. He said he would compensate the publishers. He told Express that he made the decision fearing protests in the future against his published work.

The author and representatives of the protesting groups reached an agreement during the 4-hour meeting chaired by District Revenue Officer (DRO) V R Subbulaxmi here on Monday evening."The issue over Madhorubhagan was settled amicably as both parties reached an agreement during the talks. There will be no protests hereafter regarding the issue," said the DRO.

The agreement, copies of which were released to the press, said,"Since the book was written in such a manner that had hurt the sentiments of the people of Tiruchengode, author Perumal Murugan tendered unconditional apology."

Ceding to the demands of the protesting groups, Perumal Murugan had stated that the novel, which deals with the miseries of a childless couple and consensual free sex to be blessed with a child, was"written on imaginary concepts" and agreed to remove the controversial portions referring to Tiruchengode.

This apart, he agreed to the demand to withdraw unsold copies of the novel immediately.

While accepting the unconditional apology of the author, the protesters announced that they would call of the stir.

However, the visibly upset author did not comment on the developments when the media sought his reaction.