The RSS today distanced itself from the controversy surrounding Tamil writer Perumal Murugan, saying it has "no role whatsoever" in the withdrawal of his book.

It also warned "some persons like Subhashini Ali" of CPI(M) against dragging the organisation's name into the controversy and said if they don't desist "from such nefarious activities immediately", RSS would be constrained to consider other course of action.

"The RSS has already made it unequivocally clear that it has no role whatsoever in the issue that led Shri Perumal Murugan to withdraw his book from the market," a statement issued by RSS leader Manmohan Vaidya said.

It added that some persons like Ali continue to drag the name of the RSS into the issue "with an ulterior motive to tarnish its name, which is quite deplorable".

"We earnestly hope that better wisdom will prevail and they would desist from such nefarious activities immediately, failing the RSS would be constrained to consider other course of action," the statement said.

CPI(M) leader Ali -- a former MP, former Member of the National Commission for Women and Vice President of the All India Democratic Women's Association -- had yesterday written an article blaming the Sangh Parivar for protests against Murugan.

Murugan's book 'Madhorubagan' was withdrawn from the market after coming under attack by Hindutva and caste outfits.