The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday condemned the illegal detention of a Muslim journalist in Mangalore for saying 'My Name is Rahim." Addressing journalists here, Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat demanded action against the police official responsible for it.
It was ironic that such a thing happened when the country saw the resistance and response of Mumbaikars to the Shiv Sena's stand against the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer. "We are seeing a repeat of the controversy surrounding My Name is Khan in Mangalore wherein a Muslim journalist has been detained by a police official," said Ms. Karat, who later submitted a memorandum to Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa.
Rama Sene violence
Referring to the violence indulged in by the Sri Rama Sene, Ms. Karat said, "We protest, disapprove of and condemn the Karnataka government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's deafening silence against the violence. This approach actually legitimises the communal and retrograde outlook of the Sri Rama Sene and, in particular, the organisation's crude approach towards women and their rights."
The CPI(M) expected that the government would take strong action against the Sri Rama Sene and those who indulged in such activities. "We also condemn the uncivilised behaviour of an office-bearer of the organisation, who abused and spat on a woman activist [AIDWA general secretary K.S. Vimala], during the same incident wherein his chief, Pramod Muthalik's face was blackened."
Double standards
"We disapprove of both these acts. But while the government has arrested the persons who blackened Mr. Muthalik's face, why has the person who abused and spat on a leading woman activist not been arrested?"
