join the demonstration and work for Freedom of Expression and Speech, June 10, 2008

COMMITTEE FOR THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION


Silent Demonstration on Tuesday to express solidarity with Kumar Ketkar & Ahmedabad Times journalists


Freedom of Expression and Speech are under threat. Two recent incidences of attack on Kumar Ketkar's house at Thane and clamping of Sedition charges on Times of India Ahmedabad's Journalists are classic instances.

In Thane, Kumar Ketkar's house was attacked by around 70 activists of Shiv Sangram Sanghatana (SSS). Ketkar and his wife Sharada were in the house at the time and luckily survived. The hoodlums pelted stones, broke window panes and smeared black paints at the door. The SSS attacked Ketkar for questioning the Maharashtra government's decision of installing Shivaji Maharaj's statue in the Arabian Sea. Police has arrested few persons but still they have not booked brain behind the attack.

In Ahmedabad, Times of India's Resident Editor Bharat Desai, Correspondent Prashant Dayal and photographer are charged with Sedition for questioning the alleged links of new Ahmedabad police chief O P Mathur with a mafia don and his ability to guarantee security in the city.

We need to oppose all the attempts to scuttle the freedom of expression and speech by expressing our solidarity with Kumar Ketkar and Times of India's Ahmedabad journalists. Towards this end, we thought it is necessary to organize a silent demonstration on Tuesday June 10, 2008 outside Churchgate (E) station at 5.30 pm [in Bombay]. We appeal to journalists, human rights activists and peace loving people of Mumbai to join the demonstration and work for Freedom of Expression and Speech.