MANGALURU: The media should be pro-people and secular while presenting views, said Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan in city on Saturday. Pro-people views will support poor families, depressed class and the needy. There are many newspapers and media still upholding the ethics of journalism despite tough competition. Following secular ideology is needed for the country to avoid communalisation, he pointed out.
He was addressing the foundation-laying ceremony of Madhyama Kendra building of Madhyama Communications, which runs ‘Vartha Bharathi’ Kannada daily.
Tight security
Pinarayi Vijayan arrived from Kerala to Mangaluru via Malabar Express train. He arrived amidst tight security, arranged after a protest call made by Hindu outfits against his visit to Mangaluru.
Khadar-Rai rap Sangh Parivar
Those who opposed the visit of Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan to Mangaluru have defamed the culture of our country, as a haratal is not how we treat a guest, said State Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader. He said those who opposed Vijayan’s visit have exposed themselves and their culture. State Forest Minister B Ramanatha Rai has also condemned the efforts of Sangh Parivar and BJP for obstructing Vijayan’s visit.
Huge turnout at CPM communal harmony rally
The Karavali Souharda Rally (communal harmony rally) organised by the CPM here on Saturday witnessed a huge turnout, with several thousand party cadre taking part. The rally, which was flagged off from near the Dr B R Ambedkar Circle at 3.15pm, took nearly 45 minutes to reach the Nehru Maidan, the venue of the public meeting.
It was a sea of red as the participants waved the CPM flags and shouted pro-CPM slogans. They also raised slogans against the RSS and the BJP which had vowed to prevent Pinarayi Vijayan from attending the rally. In fact, the BJP had called a hartal in Dakshina Kannada on Saturday.Though Vijayan did not take part in the rally, his participation in the public meeting galvanised the rally. By attending the public meeting, the Chief Minister threw down the gauntlet at the Sangh Parivar outfits which had opposed his entry.
Though the rally was meant to ensure communal harmony, some provocative slogans were raised by the participants. There was also the use of unparliamentary language against the BJP and the RSS by a few of the activists. It was around 4pm the rally held amid tight security wound its way to the main venue at the Nehru Maidan.