The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : CPI(M) condemns arrest of journalist, wife

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 06, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

CPI(M) condemns arrest of journalist, wife

Special Correspondent

Party terms arrest blatant attack on the media's right to free expression and seeks their release

Bangalore: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has condemned the arrest of the Editor of Karavali Ale, B.V. Seetaram, and his wife on what the party termed "false charges" and sought their immediate release.

CPI(M) State secretary S.Y. Gurushant said in a press release that this action by the Dakshina Kannada police was a "blatant attack on the media's right to free expression." Calling Karavali Ale a publication that upheld democratic and secular ideals, Mr. Gurushant said the charges levelled against its Editor of inciting communal sentiments were "ridiculous." There had been attempts in the past by "Sangh Parivar elements" to attack Mr. Seetaram and destroy property belonging to the publication. The police had failed to take action against perpetrators of the crime then, he alleged.

He called upon all political forces that had faith in democracy and freedom of expression to condemn the arrest.

Protest in Mysore

Mysore Special Correspondent reports:

Members of the CPI(M) staged a dharna in Mysore on Monday in protest against the arrest of the senior journalist and his wife.

The activists assembled near the office of the Superintendent of Police and expressed their strong opposition to the arrests.

Describing the arrest as an assault on the freedom of speech and expression and an affront to democratic values, the CPI(M) said Mr. Seetaram, as Editor of Karavali Ale, had espoused secularism, peace, national integrity and communal harmony in his writings. Hence, it was reprehensible that the police had filed false cases accusing him of fomenting violence, inciting hatred and causing religious disharmony through his writings.

In a memorandum submitted to the police here, the activists said no action had been taken against the "goonda elements" who had ransacked the office and residence of the Editor and damaged property worth nearly Rs.10 lakh. Though there was direct evidence of the connivance of Bajrang Dal and VHP elements in the attack, the police refused to take action, the memorandum said.

Dharna staged

Gulbarga Special Correspondent writes:

The District unit of the CPI(M) staged a dharna on Monday in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here in protest against the arrest of Mr. Seetaram and his wife.

In a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and submitted to the district authorities, member of the party's district secretariat Megharaj Khatare and others termed the arrest a direct assault on the free press. The memorandum demanded the immediate release of Mr. Seetaram and his wife and withdrawal of all the cases against them.

`Politically motivated'

Udupi Staff Correspondent writes:

The Udupi District Working Journalists Association on Monday criticised what it termed "the politically motivated arrest" of the journalist in Mangalore on Saturday night.

In a press release issued here, association president Alevoor Dinesh Kini said there should be a comprehensive inquiry into the incidents of assault on journalists.

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