Muslim journalist evicted from Hindu meeting

Muslim journalist evicted from Hindu meeting

Mangalore Today News Network

Belthangady, Jan 28: The representatives of the Hindu Janajagruti Samithi, Mangalore, requested a journalist to leave the Hindu Dharmajagruthi meeting, which was held in the premises of Lord Janardhana Swamy Temple in Ujire on Jan 26, Tuesday, just because he is a Muslim. 

Ashraf Alikunhi, also known as Achuchu Mundaje, was the journalist who was asked to leave. He is a reporter for “Suddi Bidugade,” a local weekly. He had visited the venue to report the proceedings of the meeting. 

Alikunhi tried to convince the representatives that he had not arrived as a Muslim, but as the reporter of a local paper. However, the organizers informed him that Muslims were not permitted to attend the meeting. 

Alikunhi says that he has never been treated thus throughout his career of nine years as a reporter. He considers this as an insult not only to him, but also to the publication for which he works. Moreover, he was asked to leave despite the fact that all reporters were invited for the programme.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the Taluk Journalists’ Union, and the Minorities Rights Assertion Committee have condemned this action.