Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Feb 25: Coming down hard on the Sangh Parivar and the BJP for observing bandh on Saturday February 25 in protest against the visit of Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan for CPI(M) communal harmony programme, state minister for food and civil supplies U T Khader said that those who violate the norms set by the Constitution should be 'hit with chappals (footwear).
In a statement that is likely to stir controversy, Khader, speaking at a programme at IMA here on Saturday, said, "Those who go against the Constitution should be hit with chappals.
"There is no need to fret about the bandh. The ones holding bandh today are not even equal to Pinyari Vijayan's chappals. Their opposition to the visit of a democratically elected chief minister is against the culture and Constitution of the country that believes in 'Athithi Devobhava'. Such forces should be thrown out," Khader said.
He was speaking at the launch of Vartha Bharati daily's Media Centre here. The centre was launched by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
Addressing the gathering, Vijayan said, "Most of the media in the country say that they are secular, but in fact have a communal inclination. This is a most dangerous development.
"Upholding the secular principles of the country is the duty of the media. However, several media instead foster communalism and thereby polarise the country. This trend should change," he said.
"Nearly 95% of the media in the country are pro-capitalists and are prepared to do anything for them. Many of the media are run by capitalists themselves. It is unfortunate that there is competition between the media to protect the capitalists.
"Each media has its own stand. There is nothing wrong in it. However, it should be conducive for the well-being of society. There are more number of poor people in the country than the rich capitalists. Therefore, the media should be in favour of the majority formed by the poor. But only a handful of media are interested in the poor," said Pinarayi.
District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, MLAs K Abhaychandra Jain, J R Lobo, Mohiuddin Bava, mayor Harinath, MCC commissioner Mohammed Nazir, Vartha Bharati chief editor Abdussalam Puthige and others were present.