Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Jan 28: A Muslim journalist was asked to leave Hindu Dharmajagruti meeting convened in the premises of Lord Janardhana Swamy Temple in Ujire on Tuesday January 26 by the representatives of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Mangalore.

Ashraf Alikunhi (Achchu Mundaje), a reporter from the local weekly, ‘Suddi Bidugade’, who had gone to the venue to report the proceedings of the meeting, was asked by the organizers to leave, after identifying him as a Muslim. Even after Alikunhi tried to convince them that he had come as the reporter of a publication and not as a Muslim, the organizers remained adamant with their earlier stand. Alikunhi said that the organizers told him straight in his face, that Muslims are not allowed to attend the meeting.

He said that for the first time in his nine years of service as reporter, he had been sent out of a programme. He deemed it an insult meted out to him and the publication he represents. He pointed out that this incident happened, in spite of the fact that the organizers had sent invitations of the programme to all the reporters.

The Taluk Journalists Union, Democratic Youth Federation of India and Minorities Rights Assertion Committee have condemned the incident.