The Hindu : National : CPI(M) flays ban on <I>Fanaa </I>in Gujarat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 26, 2006

National

National

CPI(M) flays ban on Fanaa in Gujarat

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Describing the virtual ban on screening Fanaa in Gujarat as an indication of "extreme intolerance" displayed by the ruling party and its organisations in Gujarat to any dissent, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) demanded that the Modi Government uphold the law of the land.

In a statement, the party Polit Bureau said the reported assurance by Chief Minister Narendra Modi of police protection to cinemas showing the film was an eye-wash as it was under his leadership that front organisations of the Sangh combine were threatening cinema owners against showing the film.

The ire of the protesters was against the solidarity expressed by actor Aamir Khan with the demand for rehabilitation of thousands of tribals and peasant families displaced by the Narmada project.

"The State Government is behaving as if it is above the Constitution of India which grants the freedom of expression to every individual," it said.

Such actions of the Sangh combine "under the patronage of the Government" had serious implications for democratic rights of the people of Gujarat and for all Indian citizens.

The CPI (M) demanded that the Modi Government and the party he led uphold the law of the land.

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