The banning of the film The Kerala Story: Politicization, communalization, and secularization too with ideology (2)

The banning of the film The Kerala Story: Politicization, communalization, and secularization too with Ideology (2)

The Kerala Court refused to stay the release of the film: The Kerala High Court on Friday refused to stay the release of the controversial film ‘The Kerala Story’, which hit theatres today, 05-05-2023[1]. However, the Division Bench comprising Justice N. Nagaresh and Justice Sophy Thomas, recorded the submission of the producer that the teaser of the movie, which claimed that over 32,000 women from Kerala were recruited to ISIS, will be removed from their social media accounts[2]. Refusing to stay the release of the film the Court observed that the film only saysit ‘inspired by true events’. The bench also noted that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has certified the film for public viewing. The bench also watched the trailer of the film and opined that there was nothing offensive to any particular community in it. The bench also noted that none of the petitioners has watched the film and that the producers have added a disclaimer that the film is a fictionalised version of events. “There is something called freedom of speech and expression. They have artistic freedom, we have to balance that also”, Justice Nagaresh orally stated while refusing to grant an interim order.

The Kerala Judge pointed out the contradictions: “What is there in the film that is against Islam? There is no allegation against a religion, but only against the organization ISIS”, Justice Nagaresh orally remarked during the hearing. The bench on the request of the petitioners, viewed the trailer in open court today. “This is fiction. There are no ghosts or vampires, but there are a large number of movies showing the same.” the Court remarked during the hearing. “There are many movies in which Hindu Sanyasis are shown as smugglers and rapists. No one says anything. You may have seen such movies in Hindi and Malayalam. In Kerala we are so secular. There was a movie where a pujari spit on an idol and no problem was created. Can you imagine? It is a famous award winning movie“, Justice Nagaresh orally said.

The Kerala State government defended the ban: Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave appearing for one of the petitioners stated that “the impact of film today is much greater on minds of people today than books can ever be. This may create serious public law and order problem” he submitted. “I am also a strong advocate of freedom, but if the freedom is likely to poison minds of innocent people and threaten public order, such freedom must be curtailed” Dave added. Dave urged the court to bear in mind the constitutional ideal of fraternity while examining the matter. “Fraternity in society is very important, it is part of the basic structure”. The court remarked that the film was not based on historical facts that it was merely a story, to which Dave responded, “Please see what is the purpose of the fiction. Purpose of fiction is to portray Muslim community as villains. Isolated incidents cannot be made to seem like the truth and made into a movie.”

Advocates argued the State of Kerala State has been different in the context: Sr. Adv. George Poonthottam submitted that the theme of the film to project Kerala as a centre of all terrorist activity. However, the court stated “after all this is a fictional story. Merely because some religious head is shown in bad light, it cannot be basis to ban the movie.”Advocates P A Mohammed Shah appearing for one of the petitioners stated that “Parents will think I cannot send my children to hostels in which Muslim students also stay, they will get converted. That is the impression that they are creating here.” He went on to state, “they say that only Hindu and Christian girls are being targeted and their parents should be careful. When they say it is a true story, what will be the mindset of the parents?”. 

Advocates pointed out the reality also: Advocate Kaleeswaram Rajsubmitted that this is a novel case where the Court was being called upon to consider whether hate speech could be in the form of art. Sr Adv Ravi Kadamappearing for the producer of the film stated that they have put a disclaimer and stated that it is a work of fiction. “It is only ‘inspired’ by true events. In a film, things are always dramatized. Otherwise, no one will watch it.” Justice Nagaresh asked Kadam from where did they get the figure of 32,000 women being converted. Kadam replied that the numbers were based on the information which the makers got; however, he agreed to remove the teaser, which made the claim. The film, ‘The Kerala Story’, claims to be based on true events that took place in the state of Kerala, where Hindu and Christian girls were trapped in “Love Jihad,” and converted to Islam and sent on missions to Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan on behalf of ISIS. The movie is about the journey of four college-going females from Kerala who end up joining the Islamic State. Separate pleas had thus been moved in the High Court seeking a stay on the release of the movie. 

Arguments for and against: Advocate Kaleeswaram Raj appearing on behalf of one of the petitioners, Adv. Anoop V.R., had averred that the film which claims to be based on true stories, “diminishes the dignity of the State and people as a whole, and is an insult to the State”. Advocate Rakesh K. appearing on behalf of another petitioner Thamannah Sulthana, submitted that the film intended to “malign the mindset of the general public”, and had a “serious detriment insofar as the maintenance of law and order is concerned”. A similar plea has also been moved by the State Secretariat member of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), C Syam Sundar represented by Advocates P A Mohammed Shah, Renoy Vincent, Shahir Showkath Ali, Chelson Chembarathy, Muhamed Junaid V and Shilu Sebastian. Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam, Adv Ameet Naik, Adv. Madhu Chaudhary, Adv. Sujoy Mukherjee, Adv. Nithyaesh Natraj and Adv Shilpa Soman appeared for Vipul Shah, the producer of the film. Sr Advocate Sreekumar, Adv. Thomas Anakkallunkal, Adv. Vaibhav Venkatesh and Adv. Vijay V Paul appeared for the production company, Sunshine Productions. The Court vide its Order dated May 2, 2023 had sought the response of the Centre and the Producers of the film.

18-05-2023 – The Supreme Court vacated the ban on the film: A three-judge bench presided by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud also asked the Tamil Nadu government to provide adequate security to cinema halls which screen the film, and to those who want to watch it[3]. “Prima facie, we are of the view at this stage that the prohibition which has been imposed by the state of West Bengal suffers from overbreadth,” said the bench, which included Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala[4]. Saying that the “statutory requirements for the imposition of such a prohibition have not been fulfilled on the basis of the material which has been disclosed in the counter affidavit”, the bench ordered: “Hence, the order of the Additional Secretary of the Government of West Bengal in the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs dated May 8, 2023 shall remain stayed.”

• Recording the Tamil Nadu government’s counter-affidavit, stating that there is no direct or indirect ban on the film in the state, the court said: “We direct that adequate security shall be provided for every cinema hall and requisite arrangements shall be made to ensure the safety of moviegoers who wish to see the film in any theatre in the state”.
• On the dispute over the film’s claim that 32,000 women had gone missing, the filmmakers agreed to include a disclaimer stating that “there is no authentic data to back up the suggestion that the figure of conversion is 32,000 or any other established figure” and that “the film represents a fictionalised account of the events which form the subject matter of the film”.
• Appearing for the producer, Senior Advocate Harish Salve said the film already has a disclaimer which says it is a “fictionalsed and dramatised” version of the events. He, however, agreed that the additional disclaimer “will be added… no later than by 5 pm on May 20”.
• The court said it will also hear appeals against the Madras High Court order, which had dismissed the challenge to the film, and the Kerala High Court order, which refused to grant an interim stay on its release, in the second week of July, after it reopens.
• The bench said it would watch the film. “We have given our mind prima facie. We have introduced the disclaimer. We are going to define the doctrine. We will also look at what should be permissible and what would not be permissible… certainly, there are certain aspects of this case which require us to consider… we will look at the film,” the CJI said.

© Vedaprakash

19-05-2023

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[1] Live Law, Kerala High Court Refuses To Stay “The Kerala Story” Exhibition; Producer Agrees To Remove Teaser Claiming Conversion Of 32,000 Women, Navya Benny & Sheryl Sebastian, 5 May 2023 12:47 PM.

https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/kerala-high-court/kerala-high-court-refuses-to-stay-the-kerala-story-exhibition-producer-agrees-to-remove-teaser-claiming-conversion-of-32000-women-228015

[2] https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/kerala-high-court/kerala-high-court-refuses-to-stay-the-kerala-story-exhibition-producer-agrees-to-remove-teaser-claiming-conversion-of-32000-women-228015

[3] Indian Express, Supreme Court stays West Bengal govt order banning film ‘The Kerala Story’, Written by Ananthakrishnan G , New Delhi | First published on: 18-05-2023 at 15:21 IST;  Updated: May 19, 2023 03:39 IST

[4] https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-order-west-bengal-ban-the-kerala-story-8616483/

Ezra Sargunam, Church planting, land grabbing, politics and communalization under the guise of secularization!

Ezra Sargunam, Church planting, land grabbing, politics and communalization under the guise of secularization!

The controversial Christian priest Ezra Shargunam and his land grabbing activities: In September 2017, when there was rumour about M. Karunanidhi, Ezra Sargunam gave interview to the media and certified that[1], “I met Karunanidhi, he is doing well….He looked at me……” It was surprise for many, as why a Christian priest should have done it, particularly, when Karunanidhi has been an atheist. Of course, Ezra’s role in political circles is considered as “broking”.  While Vaiko is criticized recently [this month, November 2017] for his “Christian” leanings and “crypto-Christian” activities, ironically, he himself dubbed Ezra Sargunam as “false-prophet” citing Bible[2]. He warned that people like him are tigers roaming with sheep’s skin. Thus, the role of Ezra has been intriguing on many accounts. Earlier in his book, he has openly recorded that there is nothing wrong in land grabbing[3]. That is whatever is done in the name of Jesus, it is allowed. Again, there have been court cases, involving him with land grabbing. In this context, what had happened 17 years ago in Gujarat, becomes important in the context.  Interestingly, the same Ezra Sargunam played a crucial role there. He was reportedly involved in a land grabbing case, where he tried to interfere and created “law and order problem.” As he had gone there as “the chairman of the Tamil Nadu Minority Commission,” the state authoties pointed out that he was out of jurisdiction and hence they could take action to arrest him for violations. Thus, he prepared to move bail to save his honour. The Gujarat Government also complained to the Government of Tamilnadu.

Karunanidhi asked Ezra Sargunam to return, as he exceeded limits: The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, has asked the president of the Evangelical Society of India and chairman of the Tamil Nadu Minority Commission, Bishop Ezra Sargunam, to leave Gujarat and return home immediately, according to the Gujarat Minister of State for Home, Mr. Haren Pandya, here today [06-12-2000][4]. Mr. Pandya showed reporters a copy of the fax message sent by Mr. Karunanidhi to his Gujarat counterpart, Mr. Keshubhai Patel, urging the Bishop in Vyara hospital in Surat district, to return home[5]. The message also assured the Bishop that the issue of alleged attack on a church in Chhindia village of Vyara taluka, against which he launched an indefinite fast, could be taken up with an “appropriate authority” later. The Bishop was forcibly admitted to the Vyara Civil Hospital yesterday [05-12-2000] after his condition deteriorated.

Ezra was trying to instigate local Christians: The message, Mr. Pandya said, was in response to a request sent by the State Government pointing out that the Bishop was “trying to instigate” Christians in Chhindia village and creating a “law and order problem”. The Tamil Nadu Government was also informed that the chairman of its Minority Commission had “no jurisdiction” over Gujarat and had adopted a stance of non- cooperation with the authorities. Virtually blaming the Christians for the dispute over the church in the village, Mr. Pandya said the Government would take “stern action” against anyone found “instigating” people. It was a “deliberate scheme” of the Christians to “defame the BJP government in the State”, he claimed.

Christian plot to grab the land of a tribal: Denying knowledge of the involvement of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the incident of November 26 as alleged by the All-India Christian Council, the Minister said the land on which the “so- called church” was functioning actually belonged to Mr. Puniyabhai Ukadiabhai Kotwalia, a local tribal. Mr. Puniyabhai, who became a Christian some time ago, recently re-converted to Hinduism. On November 29, the Christian Council lodged a complaint with the Vyara police stating that a group of VHP activists “attacked the church” in Chhindia village on November 26 and “desecrated it”. Mr. Puniayabhai, meanwhile, accused Christian leaders of “forcibly entering” the “premises owned by him” and taking away the picture of a Hindu deity.

Conversion trick to create communal tension: While the Council spokesman, Mr. Samson Christian, said the piece of land was jointly owned by seven persons who together handed it over to the local Christian community for building a church in 1996, Mr. Pandya claimed that according to government records, Mr. Puniyabhai was sole owner of the land and inherited it from his father. The “church” was actually a room in his residence which he had “allowed local Christians to use as a prayer hall,” Mr. Pandya said. Mr. Christian had accused the local police of working hand-in- glove with the VHP in attacking the church in the presence of senior government officials including the District Collector and the District Superintendent of Police. Mr. Pandya said the Revenue Department gave Mr. Puniyabhai ownership of the land in June, 1992, as he was cultivating it since 1975. Under the Tenancy Act, he had no authority to sell or re-allocate it to anyone else without the prior permission of the Government and there was no question of his giving the land for construction of a church. But after Mr. Puniyabhai became a Christian in 1995, one of the rooms was used by local Christians as a prayer hall. He re-converted to Hinduism six months ago and since then has refused permission for the room to be used as a church.

Land grabbing Ezra’s style carried on in Gujarat: Contrary to Mr. Samson Christian’s claims, Mr. Pandya said a group of Christians forcibly entered the room on November 26 and removed the picture of a Hindu deity. On a complaint filed by Mr. Puniyabhai, the Vyara civil court issued a stay on December 1 against the use of the land by either sides and fixed the hearing on December 12. The issue could have been resolved earlier but for the adjournment sought twice on November 30 and December 4 by the local Christians on its hearing, Mr. Pandya claimed. He alleged that Bishop Sargunam went on an indefinite fast only after the civil court granted the stay. The Christian Council also filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court against the stay granted by the Vyara civil court. Mr. Pandya also refuted the Council’s claim that 200 Christians had migrated from the village after November 26. The Vyara social justice committee chairman along with some other officials visited the village and found that all the people were staying in their respective houses, he said. No migration had taken place as claimed by Mr. Christian, he stated and pointed out that in the village with a population of 1,500, over 75 per cent were Hindus and the rest Christians.

Local Court granted bail for Ezra, thus escaped from arrest[6]: The Vyara civil court today [14-12-2000] granted anticipatory bail to Bishop Ezra Sargunam, the national president of the Evangelical Church of India, but refused him permission to enter any place within its jurisdiction, which include Chhindia village in south Gujarat, where a church of his denomination was allegedly attacked on November 26, 2000. The Bishop, who is also the chairman of the Tamil Nadu Minority Commission, had filed the anticipatory bail following a criminal complaint filed against him and a few others by the “owner” of the piece of land on which the church stood, Mr. Punyabhai Kotwalia, for allegedly “trespassing” on his property[7]. The Bishop had launched an indefinite fast in front of the church on November 29 demanding restoration of the church, which the Christians claimed was desecrated during the attack and converted into a temple. The Vyara civil court, while granting a stay on December 1 on Mr Punyabhai’s petition that the land was his “personal property,” had also directed the Bishop to stay away from Vyara taluka. The Bishop, who is still here meeting with other Christian leaders, had made it clear that he would take a decision on the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi’s message to return to Chennai only “in consultation with the leaders of the secular forces.”

Ezra indulged in objectionable activities: The Gujarat Minister of State for Home, Mr. Haren Pandya, when asked about the Vyara civil court’s order, said the State Government would ensure that the court order was “strictly implemented” hinting that it would not hesitate to arrest the Bishop if he made any attempt to return to Vyara or Chhindia. The State Home Secretary, Dr V. V. Rama Subba Rao, has written to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, informing him about the “objectionable activities” of the Bishop in the State. Like the Chief Minister, Mr. Keshubhai Patel, who wrote to his Tamil Nadu counterpart twice requesting him to recall the Bishop, Dr. Subba Rao has also requested the Chief Secretary to take immediate steps to ensure that the Bishop stopped “interfering” with the law and order situation in the State[8]. In fact, his refusal to leave, created tension in the area[9]. Meanwhile, the State Government has decided to make elaborate security arrangements in the south Gujarat districts to ensure peace during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. At a meeting of the district collectors and district superintendents of police of Surat, Bulsar, Navsari and Dangs districts convened here today by Mr. Pandya and Dr. Subba Rao, it was decided to deploy adequate number of state reserve police and anti-riot Rapid Action Force personnel in the four districts to assist the local police and home guards to maintain peace during the celebrations.

PTI reports from Surat: The sessions court today banned the entry of Bishops Ezra Sargunam and Fr. Raive Ishudas of Chennai into the Vyara sub- division, without the written permission from the court. According to the conditions imposed by the court on the Bishops, the orders would be applicable till the chargesheet was filed against them. The court allowed anticipatory bail applications by the Bishops and dismissed the criminal application filed by Shankarbhai Gamit of Vyara. The Vyara police was directed to enlarge the two Bishops on bail on their furnishing a solvent surity of Rs. 5000 with a personal bond for the like sum each in the event of their arrest in an offence registered by the Vyara police station.  The same news was also reproduced by the Catholic news agency it its own way[10]. “An Indian court has banned a Protestant bishop from entering the area of a disputed chapel in a ruling the bishop says was politically motivated to harass Christians….. Bishop Sargunam, vice chairman of the Minorities Commission of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, said he left Gujarat after state authorities refused to meet him…….. The Protestant bishop told UCA News that he had to leave the area because of the state government´s partisan approach toward Christians. Anti-Christian attacks in Gujarat are “State-sponsored vandalism,” he said. More than 100 attacks against Christians have been reported in Gujarat in the last two years.” Thus, the persecution myth went on in their own way[11].

© Vedaprakash

14-11-2017

[1] http://www.tamil8.com/watch.php?vid=f5e16b702

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a08ptEvj1dQ

[3] M. Ezra Sargunam, Multiplying Churches in India: An Experiment in Madras, Federation of Evangelical Churches of India, 1974, Madras, pp141-142.

https://christianityindia.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/nothing-illegal-in-encroaching-land-for-church/

[4] The Hindu, Karunanidhi asks T.N. Bishop in Gujarat to return, By Manas Dasgupta, Thursday, December 07, 2000.

[5] http://www.thehindu.com/2000/12/07/stories/0207000l.htm

[6] The Hindu, Bail granted to Bishop, By Manas Dasgupta, Friday, December 15, 2000

[7] http://www.thehindu.com/2000/12/15/stories/02150005.htm

[8] The Tribune, Bishop’s refusal to leave causes unrest, December 9, 2000.

[9] http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001210/nation.htm – 8

[10] UCAnews, Protestant bishop leaves after Hindu state head refuses to meet, December 15, 2000.

[11] https://www.ucanews.com/story-archive/?post_name=/2000/12/15/protestant-bishop-leaves-after-hindu-state-head-refuses-to-meet&post_id=17391

Dhulagarh communal riots: Nothing happened, after all, it was a “local issue” – now everything settled – – why Dhulagarh riots have been communalized, secularized and neutralized! (3)

Dhulagarh communal riots: Nothing happened, after all, it was a “local issue” – now everything settled – – why Dhulagarh riots have been communalized, secularized and neutralized! (3)

TIMES NOW Report From Dhulagarh (December 23, 2016)[1]: For the past one week (13-12-2015 to 20-12-2016), a small town in Howrah, West Bengal has been simmering, boiling and burning. For the past seven days, the people of Dhulagarh have been facing unthinkable hardships – causing many to flee their homes. It all began on December 12, 2016 tension erupted in Dhulagarh when two groups reportedly clashed as a procession was brought out in the area last week. The groups hurled bombs at each other,when houses in Dhulagarh were attacked by an angry mob that hurled bombs and looted and torched people’s homes after they were not allowed to carry out a the procession. So the reportedly attacked groups hurled bombs on each other, however, the homes were targeted, as the processionists had no houses there! How then, the processionists plan to come there with bombs, where houses were there and the people were also there with bombs, so that they could hurl against them? Here, who took out the procession is not mentioned on the occasion of “Miladu Nabi”!

So, Surojit Khara was bold enough to be there, when bombs were hurled and his house was burnt down: TIMES NOW spoke to one resident of a colony in Dhulagarh that was ransacked and torched.  “That day was normal, just like any other day. Some of my neighbours were running. I was thinking whether something was happening. Nobody was ready to talk about it. Then a hoard of people arrived, and started hurling bombs. They looted us and set our houses on fire,” said 28 year old Surojit Khara, who stands as the sole guard of his house – the others have fled the area. “My house, shops were set on fire. This entire lane was set on fire. The temple nearby was attacked with at least 25 bombs. This went on for 3-4 hours,” Khara stated. Frantic calls were reportedly made to the police, who turned up around three to four hours later. The police had to use tear gas to bring the situation under control, reports add. The residents however claim that no action was initiated by the cops even as the violence raged on[2].

First, it was reported that the Miladi Nabi processionist were Muslims and the targeted were Hindus: On 23^rd December, the Times-Now could not tell that the processionist were Muslims. On 31^st December, Daily Mail and India Today could identify that the processioners were Muslims and the people who were attacked by them were Hindus. Thus, the sufferings of the Hindus by the Muslim rioters have been brought out by Minhaz Merchant and Insrajit Kundu in “Daily Mail”[3]. Though, the State government announced holiday on 12-12-2016, on the pretext of the Miladu-Nabi procession, the Muslims carried out a rally cum procession, particularly on the auspicious day of “Margashirsha purnia” on 13-12-2015[4].  Knowingly, that particular area, Hindus was performing their celebrations, how the police allowed the procession is intriguing. Any careful or secular police officer would have prevented it, but, it was not done. When they were playing songs in high pitch, after the request of the Hindus, they could have reduced the volume, had they really wanted t respect the sentiments of their Hindu-brethren, but, they did not do. The riot started on 13-12-2016 and continued on 14-12-2016[5].  In fact, as, nowadays, it is common that Police used to videograph entire procession-proceedings, the could easily fix who started provocation leading to riot. Even, if riot started, they must have stopped it. But, what happened was different.

“Pakistan Zindabad” – would not have been shouted by the Hindus of Dhulagarh: The Hindus had to run to save their lives, leaving their houses and shops with all their belongings. At that time only, the rioters looted, poured petrol and kersine and burnt down. All valuables, cash and other things were carried away. Crude bombs were thrown to terrorize them and reducing their belongings to ashes[6]. The local police remained inactive while the mobs resorted to loot and arson. In one place the police arrived on the spot after the mobs had left. In another they ordered the residents to leave within two minutes and then watched on as the mobs looted and ransacked the house[7]. In yet another, the police came on time but they themselves fled when the mob came[8]. Just adjacent to the Manna household on Banerjee para lives the Mondal’s. Maitri Mondal, a mother of two says she heard chants of “Pakistan Zindabad” as the violent mob entered her bedroom and set it ablaze[9].  Thus, the souting of “Pakistan Zindabad” is intriguing to show their sickening mentality. Dilip Khanra was among many who had locked themselves up inside a room when the mob was nearing the village, pelting crude bombs one after another. “When the police came, we were told to leave our houses in two minutes! They didn’t even stop the mob from vandalizing our homes. They kept looting and burning as the police stood as silent spectators,” he says[10]. Again this proves the role of police in “running the riot”.

Taking strict action against Dhulagarh rioters & compensating: The Governor ordered the DGP to submit a report on the riots and that brought pressure on the government[11]. Meanwhile, top officials at the state home department said SP Howrah (Rural) Sabyasachi Raman Mishra was transferred in the wake of violence in less than a fortnight of his appointment[12]. The West Bengal government today said it had taken strict actions against those involved in the Dhulagarh riots in Howrah district and also started compensating the affected[13]. Rs 30,000/- was announced for the families who lost their houses burnt, but, they told that the compensation was meagre, as they lost everything in their house including money and day-to-day usage articles. A top official at the state secretariat said the government has already started compensating the families affected by the violence which rocked the district earlier this month. “Families in Dhulagarh which have been affected will be compensated. We have also decided to rebuild the houses damaged during the riots,” the officials said on 28-12-2016. Asked if persons involved in the riots were booked, the official said, “The state government has already taken strict action in the matter and arrests have been made… Law will take its own course.” Sources in the district police said people are wary of returning to their homes and thus have to remain homeless, barely 20 km from the state secretariat[14].

Secularization of riots, communalism and historiography – is it Marxist or Mamta way?: How Dhulagarh riots have been secularized has been explained above. How “secularism” discourse is used always against “communalism”, where, the former is linked with “Islamism” and the latter with “Hinduism”, reportedly followed by the “Sangj Parivar”. This has been the topic of the seminar held at Thiruvanathapuram by the IHC-experts and a part of IHC, as coincided, decided and attended by the elite, eminent and emeritus historians like Romila Thapar and also Marxist CM-politician Prannayi Vijayan. Last year, there was a coincidence that the Malda riots started just after the IHC session held there. But, how the Dhulagarh riots were completed, and the IHC started with “Secularism” seminar. However, much of secular discourse was carried on Mamta there the TMC-CM, just like Rolima Thapar. Now both are over and we have to wait and see as to Thiruvanathapuram, i.e, Kerala would go in the “Malda way” or “Mata way”, as Mamta appears to have donned the “Marxist garb”!

© Vedaprakash

04-01-2017

[1] TIMES NOW Report, From Dhulagarh: The Story India Isn’t Reporting, Dec 23, 2016 | 21:03 IST | SOURCE : Times Now

[2] http://www.timesnow.tv/india/video/times-now-report-from-dhulagarh-the-story-india-isnt-reporting/53364

[3] Daily Mail-UK, How Mamata tore the secular fabric of Bengal into shreds, by Minhaz Merchant, Published: 23:58 GMT, 28 December 2016 | Updated: 10:50 GMT, 31 December 2016

[4] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-4071842/How-Mamata-tore-secular-fabric-Bengal-shreds.html

[5] Daily Mail-UK, ‘We can’t live here anymore’: Terrified Dhulagarh riot victims who suffered mob violence claim Mamata Banerjee government is trying to cover it up, by Indrajit Kundu, Published:  00:38 GMT, 30 December 2016; Updated:  18:37 GMT, 1 January 2017

[6] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-4074336/We-t-live-anymore-Terrified-Dhulagarh-riot-victims-suffered-mob-violence-claim-Mamta-Banerjee-government-trying-cover-up.html

[7] India Today, Rather than protecting, Bengal polica gave two minutes to flee our own homes: Dhulagarh riot victims tell India Today, Indrajit Kundu | Posted by Ashna Kumar, December 28, 2016 | UPDATED 13:25 IST.

[8] http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dhulagarh-riots-howrah-kolkata-mamata-banerjee-milad-ul-nabi/1/844203.html

[9] India Today, Rather than protecting, Bengal polica gave two minutes to flee our own homes: Dhulagarh riot victims tell India Today, Indrajit Kundu | Posted by Ashna Kumar, December 28, 2016 | UPDATED 13:25 IST.

[10] http://www.timesnow.tv/india/video/times-now-report-from-dhulagarh-the-story-india-isnt-reporting/53364

[11] DNA, Dhulagarh riot: Pressure mounts on Bengal govt as Governor summons DGP, Pooja Mehta, Thursday, December 22, 2016, 09.35 pm.

[12] http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-bengal-governor-summons-bengal-dgp-over-dhulagarh-communal-clashes-2285541

[13] India Today, Taking strict action against Dhulagarh rioters & compensating, PTI, December 29, 2016 | UPDATED 21:55 IST

[14] http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/taking-strict-action-against-dhulagarh-rioters-andamp-compensating/1/845666.html

Dhulagar riot reporting – based on police version, official version and finally secularized version – why Dhulagarh riots have been communalized, secularized and neutralized! (2)

Dhulagar riot reporting – based on police version, official version and finally secularized version – why Dhulagarh riots have been communalized, secularized and neutralized! (2)

Indian Express reported only on 17-12-2016, but based on Police version[1]: DHULAGARH IN Howrah continued to be tense on Friday (16-12-2016), days after an attack on a procession held to mark Prophet Muhammad’s birth anniversary (13-12-2016). Houses and shops were burnt down in a retaliatory attack. Since Tuesday (13-12-2016), when the violence started, over 25 people have been arrested. “The Muslims have claimed that they were ambushed by a group of Hindus, who had objected to the procession. The violence was controlled and we arrested a few people,” said a senior police officer. The next day (14-12-2016), a Muslim mob allegedly attacked Hindu homes and shops and them ablaze. “Policemen rushed to the spot and managed to diffuse the tension. But the next day, for almost two hours, there was a stand-off between the police and rioters from both communities. They were carrying bombs… We used tear gas shells… Finally, we had to call in reinforcements to bring the situation under control,” said the officer. Police said a case has been registered under charges of rioting and breaking communal harmony against members of both communities. “The situation is under control… Forces, including RAF, have been posted at Dhulagarh to maintain peace,” said an officer[2]. When contacted, Trinamool Congress MLA from Sankrail in Howrah, Sital Kumar Sardar, said: “There was some tension. But both communities sat down with the police and came to an amicable solution. Peace has been restored.” Incidentally, here also, the reporter is “Aniruddha Ghosal”, but, he did not express anything of that sort as reported on 29-12-2016.

The First post’s report appeared on December 28, 2016 based on the reports of other newspapers![3]: Dhulagarh, a town 25 kilometres west of Kolkata, has been simmering for the past fortnight, following communal clashes that saw people’s houses and shops being targetted and set on fire. A “Times Now report” said 65 people have been arrested, and the state administration has asked the DGP Surajit Kar Purakayastha to take prompt action against the culprits and to ensure peace. The tension erupted on 12 December, 2016 when two groups clashed as a procession was brought out in the area last week[4]. After the groups were not allowed to carry out the procession, the “Times Now website” reported, they hurled bombs at each other, and the angry mob also looted and torched people’s homes. The next day, on 13 December, 2016 the occasion of Milad-ul-Nabi, there were further clashes in the area. A section of locals claim the clashes were unprovoked, according to a report in the “DNA newspaper”[5].

Local residents claim that they had to flee with their children and elderly as soon as the mob hurled country-made bombs at their houses. Later, the mob allegedly looted the houses and fled with the money and jewellery, later also setting it on fire[6]. “Nothing is left. We are looted of all our belongings. They ransacked and vandalised our houses and eventually set them on fire. We could not save a single penny from our houses, only managed to save our children and ran for life,” said a local, Lakshmi Mallya. The violence didn’t stop there, however. The next day, a Muslim mob allegedly attacked Hindu homes and shops and them ablaze, reported “The Indian Express”. “Policemen rushed to the spot and managed to diffuse the tension. But the next day, for almost two hours, there was a stand-off between the police and rioters from both communities. They were carrying bombs. We used tear gas shells. Finally, we had to call in reinforcements to bring the situation under control,” an officer said.

BJP group prevented from going to Dhulagarh: A case of rioting and breaking communal harmony was registered against members of both communities. “The situation is under control. Forces, including RAF, have been posted at Dhulagarh to maintain peace,” the “Indian Express” report quoted the officer as saying. However, despite the heavy presence of police and armed forces in the area, things didn’t return to normalcy. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation — comprising party leaders Jagdambika Pal, Satpal Singh, state president Dilip Ghosh and national secretary Rahul Sinha, and several volunteers — was stopped at Ekabbarapur Road, about one kilometre away from the spot where the clashes had taken place a few days ago, reported “The Quint”[7]. Angered by this, the BJP delegation, along with thousand-odd supporters, blocked the road in protest. Alleging that there is no law and order in the state, Pal said the government was following “appeasement politics towards a particular community”. Ghosh alleged right-wing Muslim outfits and Simi activists have entered the area and were creating trouble[8]. He also said BJP was not given prior any information about prohibitory orders being imposed in Dhulagarh. “We are surprised that police did not allow us to approach the people in the area to know about their plight of sufferings,” Ghosh said.

The Police became “secular” with the rioters and also with the political parties: CPM the opposition party also attempted to do the same. However, perhaps in an attempt to prove that they weren’t targeting one specific political party, the police also stopped a CPM delegation from entering the violence-scarred area. The CPM team comprised party general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Lok Sabha MP Mohammad Salim and MLA Sujan Chakraborty, among others, said another report in The Indian Express. Having addressed a public rally at Dhulagarh Chaurasta (crossing) and appealed for peace, the CPM leaders tried marching to the locality where arson and clashes had occurred, but the police stopped them. “If we are not being allowed to enter even now, and there is Section 144 of CrPC imposed, it means the situation still hasn’t been brought under control,” Salim said. “Our demand is for the state government to bring normalcy immediately, and paying monetary compensation for those affected by violence.”

Cases filed against Zee-TV reporters for covering the riots: Under fire from various quarters, the state government imposed restrictions on the media regarding coverage of the Dhulagarh violence[9]. According to The New Indian Express, the state government even went a step ahead and slapped a non-bailable offence against three employees of the TV channel Zee News, including editor Sudhir Chaudhary, West Bengal correspondent Pooja Mehta and cameraperson Tanmay Mukherjee under Section 153A (promoting enmity) of the Indian Penal Code[10]. However, the Sankrail police didn’t confirm registering an FIR. “We register over 30 FIRs on a daily basis. We can’t distinguish which are related to Dhulagarh,” said a police officer at the Sankrail police station. Chaudhary took to social networking site Facebook to call the action taken against his channel an example of the West Bengal government’s “intolerance”. “It’s another low point in our democracy to see a democratically elected govt using police force to curb media in an effort to suppress uncomfortable facts and reality. When you can’t manage media,use the state machinery to conquer the media only to conceal the failures of your administration. It shows the intolerance of a chief minister who is using the state machinery as her personal fiefdom and acting like a feudal lord,” he wrote[11]. In a case of crackdown on press freedom, a non-bailable warrant was filed against Zee News reporters by the government of West Bengal for covering the Dhulagarh riots, claims Zee News editor Sudhir Chaudhury[12]. He wrote on Twitter: “@MamataOfficial Govt files FIR against me& @ZeeNews reporter for covering #DhulagarhRiots with Non Bailable sections. FIR for showing truth?”

© Vedaprakash

04-01-2017

[1] Indian Express, Howrah: 25 held after communal clash, Written by Aniruddha Ghosal | Kolkata | Published:December 17, 2016 12:15 am

[2] http://indianexpress.com/article/india/howrah-25-held-after-communal-clash-kolkata-4430988/

[3] First Post, Dhulagarh riots: West Bengal town on the boil after communal violence, Dec 28, 2016 16:29 IST

[4] http://www.firstpost.com/india/dhulagarh-riots-west-bengal-town-on-the-boil-after-communal-violence-3177608.html

[5] DNA, Dhulagarh riot: Pressure mounts on Bengal govt as Governor summons DGP, Pooja Mehta, Thursday, December 22, 2016, 09.35 pm.

[6] http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-bengal-governor-summons-bengal-dgp-over-dhulagarh-communal-clashes-2285541

[7] The Quint, Violent Clashes in West Bengal’s Dhulagarh That No One Knows About, December 24, 2016, 7:19 pm

[8] https://www.thequint.com/politics/2016/12/24/violent-clashes-in-west-bengals-dhulagarh-that-no-one-knows-about-hindus-bjp-procession-muslim-celebrations

[9] DNA News Analysis, Mamata govt filed FIR against Zee News reporters for covering Dhulagarh riots, says Sudhir Chaudhury, Tue, 27 Dec 2016-06:05pm 

[10]  Indian Express, Howrah: 25 held after communal clash, Written by Aniruddha Ghosal | Kolkata | Published:December 17, 2016 12:15 am

[11] http://indianexpress.com/article/india/howrah-25-held-after-communal-clash-kolkata-4430988/

[12] http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-mamata-govt-files-fir-against-zee-news-for-covering-dhulagarh-riots-says-editor-in-chief-sudhir-chaudhury-2286937

Why Dhulagarh riots have been communalized, secularized and neutralized, as if nothing happened from 13-12-2016 to 31-12-2016? (1)

Why Dhulagarh riots have been communalized, secularized and neutralized, as if nothing happened from 13-12-2016 to 31-12-2016? (1)

Secularizing the riots – both Hindus and Muslims suffered, but Muslims suffered more[1]: The reports coming after riots and printed in the newspapers appear strange, as they do in a more secular way pointing out that both Hindus and Muslims suffered, but Muslims suffered more and so on. Thus, the Indian express reports as follows: A fortnight after violence and arson brought nondescript Dhulagarh, at the heart of Howrah’s micro small and medium enterprises (MSME) growth story, to national discourse, locked doors, shuttered windows and burnt walls unite the neighbouring localities of Pollepara and Munshipara. They are dominated by Hindus and Muslims, respectively. Of many families that fled after the clashes on December 13 and 14, 2016 some Hindus returned this week (before 31^st December). Most Muslim neighbourhoods still remain deserted. The reporter however has not exposed the secret or explained the significance of “some Hindus” returning back homes and “Muslim neighbourhood” looking deserted. District officials said more than 100 houses and shops were attacked over those two days[2].  Thus, obviously, the suffered Hindus would have returned to assess about their loss, whereas, the safely gone Muslims would return happily, when everything was normal.

“Some Hindus returned this week. Most Muslim neighbourhoods still remain deserted”: Whether Aniruddha Ghosal had written this as directed by the editor of Indian Express or by the State authorities, it is evident that the tone and tenor or drafting, editing and approved text printed in the newspaper proves that the “communal riot” is interpreted as “secular” and “economic loss” is secularized, as if the insurance companies do not pay for the insured machines, etc., owned by the Muslims, but not by the Hindus. What happens to the uninsured houses and shops of the poor Hindus? Is it communal for them not to be insured, because of poverty? Here, the point is after the “communal riots”, December 12 and 13, 2016, nothing was reported in the print and electronic media. After the details spread through “Social media”, the elite, eminent and professional press woke up and started reporting guardedly, as Zee-TV colleagues were clamped with police action. Ironically, the fellow media people did not condemn the State government’s action for throttling the freedom of press, but, now, Indian Express gathered strength, but, reporting differently.

Secularizing the loss: “More Hindu homes and shops were attacked, but the financial damage done to Muslim-owned factories is far more”: “More Hindu homes and shops were attacked, but the financial damage done to Muslim-owned factories is far more,” an administration official said. Superintendent of Police, Rural (Howrah), Sumit Kumar said, “There have been 56 arrests. Violence took place on December 14 and since then it’s been peaceful. Investigations are on.” About 30 km from Kolkata, Dhulagarh’s MSMEs focus on embroidery and garment-manufacturing. Already dealt a big blow by demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, many units in the area have now downed shutters following the violence. According to local officials and unit owners, equipment averaging around Rs 5 lakh per unit has been destroyed, raw material burnt, and workers left unemployed. The economy of Dhulagarh has been crippled. State government statistics say there are 350 functional units in the Howrah clusters, of which locals estimate about 100 are in Dhulagarh. The Howrah units employ more than 9,000 people, and the average investment in each plant and machinery is calculated at Rs 5 lakh.

Most of the garment manufacturing unit are owned by the Muslims: “I have seen at least 10 factories gutted in the last few days,” said Zakir Sardar. “Most units were owned by Muslims, and were in areas where people from both communities lived in equal numbers. These have been targeted.” Zakir’s factory, which employed 40 people, was destroyed, along with parts of his house. Why not the Hindus could not have any factory, though, they were also in equal numbers in that area is not known. Sheikh Allaudin claimed his factory, surrounded by homes of Hindu families, was targeted on December 14. 2016. Here, it is clear that unless the surrounding Hindus were attacked first, his factory would not have accessed to. Therefore, it is abundantly clear that the rioters wanted to attack the Hindus and the damage caused to Muslim factory was incidental. “We had got new machinery from abroad with loan amounting to Rs 18 lakh per unit. We were hoping to start exports from next year. We have now taken a loss that could touch Rs 1 crore. That essentially puts us out of business.” Alima Begum, another factory owner, said, “With demonetisation, we suddenly didn’t have cash to pay workers, and they understandably left. Most work in the garment sector is done in cash, especially with traders from Gujarat and Maharashtra. They stopped buying from us. And then the violence…” Here also, if their intention was business, then there would not have been provoking procession etc.

Had they really interested in manufacture and income, they would not have indulged in rioting: As reported by “Indian Express”, as the Muslims were having embroidery and garment-manufacturing units, they must have concentrated only in the production, sale and earning profit out of the business. But, their involvement in politics, communal orientation and vote bank polity prove their intentions have been different. In other words, they have been exploiting the riots as a factor to increase the business, by making the Hindus poor. As the administration official said, “More Hindu homes and shops were attacked, but the financial damage done to Muslim-owned factories is far more,” then, the fact exposes their modus operandi. They have been pumping the profit or black money (as they used to sell without bills, accounting etc), for orchestrating riots. By displacing Hindus fro that area, they would settle more “Banglasesh Muslims” there, so that to increase their percentage easily. The idea of communalizing the loss in terms of “financial damage” is also intriguing, as to how they could think in such lines. In other words, the running riot project has become so profit making and this exploiting everything

Hindus attacked the Miladi Nabi procession – now the story turns 180⁰ U-turn!: On December 13, 2016, a religious procession on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi was attacked. That is what many people from both communities in Dhulagarh agree on — and where their divergence starts. While the Muslim community alleged that their procession was stopped and Muslim youths were forced to chant names of Hindu gods, and then attacked, people from the Hindu community blamed “outsiders” for the attack. They alleged Muslim youths came prepared with weapons. The spark began near Annapurna Club at Dewanghat. Sheikh Narul Alam, one of the elders in the procession, said, “We had loudspeakers in our procession, and some people from the Hindu community objected to that. We turned off the loudspeakers. But some youths demanded that we chant names of Hindu gods. We refused. They started throwing stones.”

The Hindu community has a different version: Indian Express says, that “The Hindu community has a different version”! Rabin Das, whose house at Banshtala in Dhulagarh was a few metres from the spot, said many youths in the procession were carrying “swords and bombs”, and then a crude bomb was hurled at his house. “We fled,” he said. Das said — and several locals concurred — his house was one of the first to be burnt. An embroidery factory abutting the house, owned by brothers Kamal and Jamaluddin Sheikh, was also gutted in the attack. “Who knows whether they (attackers) were Hindus or Muslims…. They were just out for blood,” Das said. Ujwal Das, a local worker, said: “The violence began outside the Allahabad Bank branch, where people had been in queue for long to withdraw cash. Tempers were already frayed,” said. It started with a stray fight, and became big, he added. On December 14, violence spread to hitherto unaffected areas — the primarily Muslim-dominated prosperous area of Haishar Para and Munshipara, and Hindu-dominated areas of Banerjeepara and Pollepara. The BJP has alleged that the whole incident was made worse by the TMC. Last week, BJP MP Roopa Ganguly alleged that a TMC legislator was behind the arson and looting, and that “minority appeasement” politics of TMC was responsible for the violence. TMC has denied the allegations.

© Vedaprakash

04-01-2017

[1] Indian Express, WB: Its economy crippled by clashes, Dhulagarh picks up the pieces, Written by Aniruddha Ghosal | Dhulagarh (howrah) | Updated: December 29, 2016 7:23 am

[2] http://indianexpress.com/article/india/west-bengal-dhulagarh-violence-economy-crippled-4449637/