CPI, Cong. flay attack on film sets

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 31. The CPI has condemned the violent disruption of the shooting of Ms. Deepa Mehta's film ``Water'' in Varanasi by members of the Kashi Sanskriti Raksha Sangharsh Samiti and certain other outfits having links with the Sangh Parivar.

In a statement here, it said this was the latest in a series of ``uncivilised acts of vandalism'' by the Sangh Parivar. It accused the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh Government of being in ``league'' with the ``mob''.

The Congress(I) also criticised the Sangh combine's intolerant and fascist agenda which led to Sunday's attack on the film sets.

The AICC spokesman, Mr. Ajit Jogi, urged the Prime Minister to immediately direct the State Government to permit the shooting of the film and provide adequate protection to the artistes. The Sangh Parivar had continuously been taking recourse to violent means to saffronise and communalise even art and culture in the country, he said.

In attempting to force its views and philosophy on others, the Sangh Parivar had violated the fundamental right of freedom of expression and speech enshrined in the Constitution. The Congress(I) pointed to reports that the violent and unlawful demonstrations were led by the local BJP MLA, Mr. Shyamdev Roy Chowdhary, the former MLC, Ms. Beena Pandey and Mrs. Jyotsna Srivastav, wife of the State Finance Minister.

Sahmat, a voluntary organisation, in a separate statement demanded that the attackers, including the BJP MLA, should immediately be arrested; that the shooting of the film be allowed to continue with full protection; and that those responsible for providing security to the film shooting be suspended.

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Section  : National
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