Editor’s arrest sparks protests

The arrest of editor of a Kannada eveninger in Mangalore and his wife on charges of hurting the religious sentiments of the Jain community has sparked off protests across the state by various organizations.

Terming the arrest of “Karavali Ale” Editor B V Seetharam and his wife Rohini as an infringement on the freedom of press, activists belonging to a host of organizations including Left parties and progressive outfits held demonstrations in several parts of the Karnataka including Bangalore, Mysore, Udupi and Gulbarga.

Seeing the “hidden hand” of Sangh Parivar behind the “framing” of Seetharam, who had been espousing the cause of secularism, the demonstrators sought the immediate release of the editor and his wife. The activists accused the police of playing into the hands of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which had allegedly unleashed an attack on the eveninger’s office recently.

Communist Party of India (Marxist), People’s Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU), Bank Employees’ Federation, besides progressive outfits and journalists’ associations have joined the protest and condemned the police as well as the communal forces behind the journalist’s arrest.

The arrest of Seetharam and his wife comes close on the heels of an attack on the publication’s office in Mangalore, which had led to the destruction of computers and other equipment worth almost a million rupees.

Meanwhile, Seetharam, who complained of chest pain after his arrest by the police, has been admitted to Government Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore. His wife Rohini, who is also a Director of the publication, was sent to judicial custody.

Police said Seetharam and his wife had been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for “outraging the religious sentiments of a community and making assertions prejudicial to national integration.”

State General Secretary of CPI (M) G N Nagaraj, who led a protest in Mangalore, has sought action against the police officials responsible for arresting the editor at the behest of communal forces.