CPI(M) slams FIR against Munir Katipalla, Abdussalam Puthige, calls it anti-democratic
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada District Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly condemned the filing of an FIR against its district secretary Munir Katipalla and Vartha Bharati Editor-in-Chief Abdussalam Puthige, calling it an act of "desperation" and "anti-democratic behavior."
In a press statement issued on Monday, the CPI(M) accused the Puttur unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and its secretary Dr. Ganesh Prasad Mudraje of targeting Munir Katipalla over his persistent criticism of private hospitals and his role in exposing the alleged communal role of certain doctors in the Puttur Government Hospital incident.
The FIR was reportedly filed through a court directive by the Puttur Medical Association, which the CPI(M) claims is politically motivated and intended to silence dissenting voices. The party alleged that some office bearers of the association have communal inclinations, and the move to file a complaint is an attempt to divert attention from the larger issues affecting the public health sector in the region.
“This is a private complaint aimed at damaging the dignity of the medical profession,” the CPI(M) said. It further stated that false allegations are being made to suppress those speaking up against the corporatization of healthcare and the alleged communalization of medical spaces.
The party said it will launch a legal battle and a public protest movement against the FIR. It also announced plans to hold condemnation meetings in association with like-minded groups and to file a detailed petition with documents to the party's Central Committee, demanding that action be taken to seek the cancellation of the medical registration of the Puttur and Mangaluru branches of the association.
The CPI(M) also criticised the silence of the Doctors' Association on pressing issues such as corporate control over the health sector and the rising cost of treatment. According to the statement, the association has failed to speak up for the common people but is now targeting individuals raising their voice for justice.
“The misuse of the regulations to shield vested interests is unacceptable and will be strongly opposed,” the party said. It called the recent press releases from the Puttur and Mangaluru branches of the association oppressive and dictatorial in tone, accusing them of trying to intimidate the public through goon-style tactics.
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Dragging Gaurav's family, children into 'Pak link' allegation by Assam CM wrong politics: Priyanka
Guwahati (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for attacking Gaurav Gogoi over alleged Pakistan links, asserting that dragging his family and children into it is "wrong politics".
After paying homage to Zubeen Garg at his cremation ground 'Zubeen Khetra' at Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati, Vadra said the singer was "above politics" and spread the message of love throughout his life.
"There are two types of leaders in politics -- one who does positive politics and the other who does polarisation. Gaurav Gogoi is doing the politics of love," she said when asked about Sarma's repeated attacks on the Assam Congress chief over alleged Pakistan links.
Vadra asserted that Gogoi is "a positive person, and wants to bring positivity in politics".
"That is why such attacks on him are taking place. People of Assam understand this. But the attacks on Gaurav and his family are the wrong politics. Nobody should attack the family and children (of a political leader)," Vadra said.
Instead of such politics, the Assam CM should "talk about the youth and women of the state, who are looking for jobs", the Wayanad MP said.
"You are seeing how much corruption is taking place. It is just a betrayal of the people of the state," she told reporters.
Talking about her visit to 'Zubeen Khetra' in the morning, Vadra said that she went to the cremation ground to pay her respect to the singer and not do any politics over it.
"Zubeen Garg was above politics. His cremation ground should be a sacred place and should not be used for politics," she added.
VIDEO | Guwahati: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) says, "When we contest elections and talk about leadership in politics, there are two kinds of leaders. One is a positive leader — someone with a positive mindset. Such leaders tell you what they want to do for… pic.twitter.com/52z4HwRitg
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 20, 2026
