The Constitution of India guarantees all its citizens certain Fundamental rights and it also clearly mentions that if these rights are violated then they have the right to knock on the doors of the judiciary. But the recent arrest of Naveen Soorinje, Kasturi Channel Newz 24 reporter, makes a mockery of all these so called democratic institutions. Soorinji had bravely reported on the now infamous brutal attack by Hindu Jagarana Vedike{{1}} on youngsters partying at “Morning Mist” homestay{{2}} in Mangalore on July 28, 2012.
The footage which he and his cameraman had aired brought out the heinous act of moral and cultural policing by these so called ‘protectors of Indian culture’. First Information Report dated July 28, 2012 outrageously names Soorinji as one of the 43 participants who took part in the attack. On September 20, 2012 a Charge Sheet was filed which accused him of ‘conspiracy’, ‘criminal trespassing’, ‘rioting with deadly weapons’, ‘causing grievous hurt’, ‘assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty’ and many others.
On November 7, 2012 he was arrested by the Mangalore Police on the charges mentioned in charge sheet. The so called ‘protectors of law and order’ had themselves turned into suppressors of “the right to freedom of speech and expression”{{3}}. All available reports indicate that the police knew about the planned attack all along and that Subash Padil (the main accused) was in touch with Mangalore Rural Police before and after the attack. Here is a clear instance of the state machinery under the influence of communal forces misusing law for its own ends.
Another ridiculous charge was that Soorinje went “absconding’ after the charge sheet was filed against him. In fact he was on his regular duty reporting for the News Channel and was in full public view, attending many programmes and events between September 20, 2012 and November 7, 2012 i.e., date of the filing of the charge sheet till his arrest.
Despite applying for a bail thrice, his application was rejected by JMFC 3rd court{{4}} on two occasions and by Karnataka High Court on 26th December. This show how much independent the judiciary really is. Instead of making an proper inquiry and demanding all the facts pertaining to the case, it went solely behind the police version of events. The real reason for Soorinji’s arrest was not only for his reporting on the July 28th attack but also other reports dealing with the atrocities committed by Mangalore Police as well as the State Government.
Mangalore is no stranger to such incidents in the past few years and the entire region of coastal Karnataka has been polarized along communal lines, with the Hindutva outfits such as Sri Rama Sena, Bajrang Dal, ABVP{{5}} and not to forget with the active support of the communal BJP led state government, are running amok attacking minorities, women and those they perceive as violating Hindu cultural values. But even after despite shocking incidents such as the Mangalore Pub attack on women (2009) by Rama Sene that made nationwide headlines, all the accused including its leader Pramod Muthalik are roaming scot free despite hard evidences against them.
Despite being called the world largest democracy, attacks against journalist{{6}} are common, with an increasing trend towards web monitoring and censorship. According to Reporters Without Borders, India ranks 131st in its Press Freedom index (2012). The sub clause 2 of Article 19 of the Indian constitution actually allows for curtailing press freedom under national security and is often directed against those critical of the government.
New Socialist Alternative (CWI-India) absolutely condemns the arrest of Naveen Sorinje and demands that he be released immediately. Swift action must be taken not only against those culprits/ right wing organizations behind this outrageous incident on 28th July, but also against those in the police and state administration who sided with the perpetrators. The BJP{{7}} government in Karnataka in all its crisis ridden avatars of Yeddi-Sada-Shettar{{8}} buffoonery has steadfastly seen to it that the creeping communalisation proceeds unabated. Be it the civil administration. Police, Judiciary and even sections of the Print and Electronic media have been co-opted to carry out the divisive agenda of the Saffron Brigade. The working class and the poor can not rely on the state authorities to do justice, hence Peoples’ Defence committees must be formed involving trade unions, community organisations, minorities, working people, Daliths, fisher folk and other progressive organizations to protect those attacked by vigilante groups and to fight this menace of communalism and fundamentalism. We categorically oppose any attempt by the state to curb press freedom or gag journalists. We need to campaign for a genuinely free media that is neither under big business control nor state control. Only in a genuine socialist society, would it be possible to realize genuine freedom of expression, where means of communication is available for everyone (except of course to extreme right-wing chauvinist-fundamentalist organisations) and democratically decided involving the widest number of people possible.
Azhar Khan
Student Activist, New Socialist Alternative (CWI-India)
[[1]] a Hindutva fundamentalist organization. Hindutva – right wing organizations/ movements in India advocating Hindu nationalism [[1]]
[[2]] resort [[2]]
[[3]] (19(1)(a) of the Constitution [[3]]
[[4]] Judicial Magistrate First Class [[4]]
[[5]] Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad [[5]]
[[6]] 29 journalist killed since 1992 according to Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ). 2 journalist were killed this year [[6]]
[[7]] Bharatiya Janata Partty [[7]]
[[8]] The 3 chief Ministers of BJP in the last four and half years – BY Yeddyurappa, Sadananda Gowda and Jagadish Shettar [[8]]