Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Feb 13: Backed by people belonging to the BJP, Congress and the JD(S), City Corporation mayor Ganesh Hosabettu slapped a legal notice on Wednesday February 11, to union minister for women and child development Renuka Chowdhury, for the derogatory remarks passed by her on the city and its residents.

The mayor, releasing copies of the legal notice at a press meet held here on Wednesday said, that the remarks like 'Talibanization' and the  'clear communal divide in the city' had pained Mangaloreans and adversely affected trade and commerce in the region.

Advocate P P Hegde has issued the notice on behalf of the mayor and despatched the same through e-mail.  He told the reporters, that the usage of the words 'Taliban' and 'Talibanization' in the statement of the minister, which was repeatedly telecast on all major national channels, had resulted in the most derogatory, abusive and worst form of verbal assault on the city residents.

The minister's statement has branded Mangaloreans as anti-nationals and hurt the religious sentiments of the people living in the region. An isolated incident here need not have attracted such a blanket and generalized statement from a person of Chowdhury's stature, Hegde opined.

He added, that the mayor has decided to file a case against the minister to show that the city dwellers stand united in their bid to protest against any one trying to denigrate them, sinking caste, religion and party affiliations in the bargain. Other parties to the legal notice included Ramesh from Shilpa Colour Lab, Anwar Manippady, Melwyn Fernandes, Nalini Shetty and others.

The mayor urged the minister not to politicize the issue. He said he would proceed with filing a case against her on Friday, if she fails to respond to the notice. He also added that the names of Congress and JD(S) leaders who were supportive of the legal notice will be made public at the time of filing the criminal case.