A democratic rights watch group, the Association for Democratic Rights (AFDR), today expressed concern over the threats issued to writers in Punjab by hardliners.

Recently, Right-wing Khalistani groups had threatened and used abusive language against Sahitya Akademi award winner Punjabi writer Baldev Singh Sadaknama.

Professor Jagmohan Singh of the AFDR said the legal notice served by the Dal Khalsa to Punjabi writer Baldev Singh Sadaknama was nothing but an act of strengthening oppressive system.

He said the Dal Khalsa must remember that sections under which the legal notice was issued were often used by the Indian state to suppress the freedom of expression.