Karnataka   

Editor's arrest sparks protests

Special Correspondent

CPI(M) leader terms it an infringement on the freedom of the press

MANGALORE: The arrest of B.V. Seetharam, editor of local eveninger "Karavali Ale", has evoked strong protests and condemnation from different organisations in the city on Monday. Mr. Seetharam, who is also the director of the paper, was arrested on Saturday night for publishing articles pertaining to a religious leader in the paper.

A rally was organised and a protest meeting held in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office on Monday. The protesters, including activists of the Left parties, demanded an inquiry into the matter and action against the police officials responsible for the arrest of Mr. Seetharam.

G.N. Nagaraj, Communist Party of India (Marxist) State general secretary, who addressed the protest meeting, said the police had acted in an undemocratic way in the arrest of the journalist and his wife. He termed it an infringement on the freedom of the press, although many articles that had appeared in "Karavali Ale" were not acceptable to the public.

Mr. Nagaraj said the communal forces in the district had used the police to carry out a vengeful attack on Mr. Seetharam.

CITU S{gt}tate unit president B. Madhava said the attack on the paper and its editor was an act of authoritarianism, and communal forces had carried it out in collusion with the police.

CPI (M) Dakshina Kannada unit general secretary K.R. Sriyan, PUCL president P.B. D'Sa, Dakshina Kannada Vicharavadi Vedike president Narendra Nayak, Manavata Vedike convenor Yeshwanth Maroli, Pragatipara Chintakara Vedike convenor Krishnappa Konchady, leader of the Congress U.T. Khader, Janata Dal (S) leader Farooq Ullal and leaders of DYFI, SFI, Komu Souharda Vedike, and Bharatiya Christa Seva Sanghatane condemned the arrest of Mr. Seetharam and his wife Rohini.

Since Sunday was a court holiday, they could not secure bail and according to the court officials even on Monday the bail could not be granted, and Ms. Rohini was still in judicial custody. Mr. Seetharam, who had complained of chest pain, had been admitted to the Government Wenlock Hospital where he had been prevented from meeting the public as well as speaking on the phone.

Mr. Seetharam has been charged with sections 153(A), 153 (B) and 295(A) of the Indian Penal code which deal with "promoting enmity between two religious groups, outraging religious feelings of a community and assertions prejudicial to national integration".

Mr. Seetharam told The Hindu that this was an attempt to strangle the right to freedom of expression.

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