Mangalore: Sara Abubakar calls for revolt against moral policing

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Feb 10: "In the land of Veera Rani Abbakka, women should condemn and revolt against acts of moral policing, atrocities and harassment taking place in the name of culture. If the situation goes unchecked, Mangalore will soon be Talibanised," said veteran litterateur Sara Abubakar.

She was addressing the gathering during the Rani Abbakka Decennial Festival organized by Veerarani Abbakka Utsav Samiti in association with the department of Kannada and culture at the Rani Abbakka Vedike, Bharath High School Ground, Ullal here on Saturday, February 9.

Expressing concern over the increasing menace of moral policing and rising religious intolerance, Sara Abubakar said, "Women should inculcate the heroic attitude of Rani Abbakka to safeguard their rights and oppose moral policing. They should draw inspiration from Abbakka who bravely fought against the Portuguese decades ago."
 
She Sara further said, "Rani Abbakka fought against the Portuguese courageously. During her tenure, she also fought to bring positive changes in society especially against caste discrimination. No local writer has written about Rani Abbakka as much as foreigner writers. Regional writers should write more about her."

Addressing the gathering MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "Rani Abbakka fought for freedom. Freedom does not mean to have the liberty to take drugs and alcohol. However, women should imbibe the heroic nature of Rani Abbakka."

"Discussions about Abbakka should not be limited to these kinds of celebrations. Lessons about Rani Abakka in school textbooks would help students to imbibe her values and life," he suggested.

An appeal has been put before Lok Sabha to name Mangalore port under Rani Abbakka’s name and airport to be given Srinivas Mallya’s name. Accordingly, the state government should take the responsibility, he said.

U T Khader, MLA, hoisted the flag while Anwar Manippady, State Backward Classes Commission chairman released a documentary on Rani Abbakka. Rahim Uchil, president of Beary Sahitya Academy, Bhavani, Ullal TMC vice-president, Moses Jayashekhar, deputy director of public instructions, Dinaker Ullal, working president of the Abbakka Utsav Samithi, Vaman Nandavar, honorary advisor and other office-bearers were present. 

As part of the decennial celebrations, ‘Janapada Dibbana’ a procession depicting local culture was taken from Thokkottu to Bharath School premises.