Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Sep 9: Several political leaders and citizens have expressed anguish over the arrest of ‘Vartha Bharati’ reporter who had reported the raid of police at the residence Khalandar, a suspect in RSS activist Sharath Madiwala’s murder.
Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, Kasargod MP P Karunakaran, Laxminarayana Nagavara from DSS and Karnataka farmer’s association leader Maruti Manpade have condemned the incident.
Dakshina Kannada journalists’ association has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and Home minister through the deputy commissioner.
Deve Gowda, H D Kumaraswamy and P Karunakaran
H D Kumaraswamy said that the arrest is to hide the failures of the police. “I have not read even single news that incites communal unrest in Vartha Bharati so far,” he said.
MP Karunakaran said that he is with Vartha Bharati in the matter. Condemning the incident, he said that it is a raid on freedom of press.
Former Prime Minister H D Deva Gowda said that the action of Dakshina Kannada police is condemnable. “Arrest of a reporter like a criminal without issuing notice is an assault on the freedom of press. It is unacceptable. Protecting freedom of press is the pride of the country,” he said.
Minister U T Khader also condemned the arrest of the journalist. He revealed that when the arrest was made, he had phoned superintendent of police to enquire about the arrest and he was told that it was an individual arrest of the journalist and Vartha Bharati was not at fault.
U T Khader
“I am hurt that a journalist has been arrested. I assure that proper investigation will be done by the government and justice will prevail. I have informed information department also regarding the matter. I am always against the interference in press freedom no matter who does it. Accordingly I condemn the arrest,” Khadar said.
Maruti Manpade, senior leader of farmer’s association said that it is an indication that Siddaramaiah led government is on wrong path. “It is a dictatorship and the reporter should be released immediately,” he said.
Laxminarayana Nagavara said the action by the police is an indication that free press is crushed in the state. He demanded the release of the journalist.
The journalist was arrested in Bantwal on September 7 and was produced in court the next day.