Mangaluru: Police book anti-Israeli protesters for 'unlawful assembly', contravention of orders
Mangaluru: An FIR had been registered against members of CPI-CPM and like-minded organizations for protesting against Israeli attacks on Palestinians near clock tower in Mangaluru city limits, a report stated on Wednesday.
On Monday, CPM-CPI and like-minded organizations had organized a protest against Israel's continued assaults on the civilians in Gaza and other parts of Palestine. Terming the attacks a genocide, the protesters had demanded a cease-fire to the year-long conflict. Condemning US assistance to the brutal conflict that has taken the lives of more than half a million people, they had urged the Indian government to continue its historical pro-Palestinian policy and stop helping Israel.
However, as the Mangaluru DCP had denied permission for both the protest and using of mike, the protest was held without using any microphones. Based on a complaint filed by ASI Praveen K, an FIR has been registered at the Mangalore South Police station against the protesters for unlawful assembly and contravention of orders.
The complaint states that the protesters had raised slogans and made speeches despite the denial of permission for the same. Along with CPI leaders Munir Katipalla and Sunil Kumar Bajal, the FIR also names Nagesh Kotian, Vasanth Achari, Yadav Shetty, Sukumar Rao, Imthiyaz, Santhosh Bajal, Yogesh Jeppinamogaru, Hayavadana Rao and Seetharama Berinje.
Responding to the FIR, CPM leader Vasanth Achari stated that every citizen of the country had a right to protest. The current action of the police had made democracy seem meaningless, he said. "Protesting against violence, wherever it might happen, is essential. Siddaramaiah led Congress government is making a mistake in such matters. This makes it clear that when the BJP declares open support to Israel, Congress is indirectly doing the same. We feel doubts regarding the existence of a Congress government in the state. When the leftist parties were engaged in protest against Israeli atrocities, the Congress government should have provided protection, and not try to silence them by registering cases. This is highly condemnable", he stated.
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Two FIRs lodged against Mithun Chakraborty for 'provocative' speech
Kolkata, Nov 6: Two FIRs have been lodged against actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty for allegedly making provocative statements during a BJP event in Salt Lake area near Kolkata last month, police said on Wednesday.
The complaints pertain to Chakraborty's speech on October 27 at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake, during a BJP programme attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was in Kolkata to launch the party's West Bengal membership drive.
The first FIR was filed at the Bidhannagar South police station based on a complaint by an individual, while the second was lodged at Bowbazar police station.
"We have started an investigation into the case," a senior officer of Bidhannagar police said.
Shah was also present at the programme, which was organised to kick off the West Bengal leg of the BJP's membership drive. Shah had also felicitated Chakraborty for being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award this year.
Although Chakraborty was unavailable for comment, BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar described the FIRs a result of "vendetta politics.".
Majumdar alleged that the TMC government "has once again used the police to unfairly target well-known actor and senior BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty".
He accused the chief minister of employing such tactics "to serve political interests" and claimed that the state government's actions were part of an ongoing attempt to discredit political opponents.
"There is nothing provocative in his speech. These are nothing but attempts to intimidate him by using police as a political tool," he said.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh dubbed the BJP's allegations as baseless.
"The allegations of political vendetta are baseless. He shouldn't have made such provocative remarks. The law will take its own course," he said.
Chakraborty, who received India's highest film honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, earlier this year, had asserted on October 27 that the 'masnad' (throne) of West Bengal would belong to the BJP after the 2026 assembly elections, promising to do whatever it takes to achieve the goal.
While speaking at the programme, Chakraborty, a BJP leader, said, "In 2026, the 'masnad' will be ours, and we will do everything to achieve the goal."
In an apparent reference to TMC MLA Humayun Kabir's communal remarks aimed at BJP workers during the Lok Sabha elections, Chakraborty had allegedly made provocative remarks.
Chakraborty cautioned that no one should attempt to intimidate saffron party voters into abstaining from voting in the next assembly elections.
He called upon the booth-level workers of his party to resist any such attempts.
