The Hindu : Karnataka News : CPI(M) criticises decision to confiscate book

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Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007
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Karnataka

CPI(M) criticises decision to confiscate book

Special Correspondent

Terms it an assault on the freedom of expression of author

Bangalore: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday condemned the State Government’s decision to confiscate ‘Anudeva Horaganavanu’, a book on the caste origin of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara.

Addressing a press conference here, CPI(M) State secretary G.N. Nagaraj described the confiscation of the book as an “assault on the freedom of expression of the author”.

He also took exception to the temporary withdrawal of the book from the stands by its author, Banjagere Jayaprakash. The move was an indication that the author had surrendered to the reactionary forces instead of standing up to them.

Opposing the decision to confiscate the book did not mean that the CPI(M) endorsed it contents. The party’s view was that the book should be treated as a research work. There was always scope for others to come out with their own research findings and prove that the contents of the book were wrong, he said. The party would support other democratic forces and parties if they protested against the confiscation of the book, he said.

Land for SEZs

Expressing concern over moves to acquire large areas of farmland for special economic zones (SEZs), he demanded that the Government convene an all-party meeting to discuss the issue before going ahead with land acquisition. The views of farmers and their organisations should also be elicited on SEZs as well as land acquisition.

He demanded that not more than 1,000 acres should be given for an SEZ. The area could go up to 5,000 acres in special cases. The ownership of land should vest with the Government, and the land should only be leased to industries.

Referring to the proposed SEZ at Nandagudi, Mr. Nagaraj said the SEZ should be confined to the 4,000 acres of government land available in the area. The Government should desist from acquiring farmland at Nandagudi and also make public details on issues such as how many industries would be set up in the SEZ and the land required.

Training centres should be set up to train local people in various industrial trades so that they could be employed in the industries coming up on their land, he suggested.

He also took exception to the provision barring the formation of labour unions in SEZs.

Appeal to naxals

The CPI(M) leader urged naxalites to stop what he termed their misadventure and toe the democratic line. People were living in fear in the naxal-affected areas as they were caught between naxalites and the police.

The Government should take steps to protect the land and housing rights of tribal people and desist from evicting them from forests.

He opposed the privatisation of the mid-day meal scheme and condemned the attack on the office of TV9, a Kannada television channel, in Mangalore.

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