Social activists, writers express concern over communal divide in coastal region

A group of writers, social activists and theatre professionals, who met B. K. Hariprasad, MLC, here on Friday, expressed concern over growing communal unrest in the coastal region.

They discussed about hate speeches, communal murders and polarisation of society.

The delegation told the MLC that communalism grew in the region since over three decades as there was no united opposition to counter it. Now it was going out of control notwithstanding the Congress government being in power. The Congress should have a clear stand on countering it and measures should be in place to curb the elements dividing society on communal grounds., it said.

There should be more programmes in education institutes and cultural sectors to promote harmony.

The delegation told the MLC that the government should ensure that those involved in mob lynching, communal murders, hate speeches are not enlarged on bail. The government should support such programmes promoting unity and harmony in society, the delegation said.

The MLC told the delegation that he would arrange their meeting with the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to make their suggestions a reality.

Activist Muneer Katipalla, Dr. Srinivas Kakkillaya, rationalist Narendra Nayak, retired professors B. Shivarama Shetty, Udaya Kumar Irvathur and N. Ismail, theatre person Nagesh Udyavara, CPI (M) leaders Sunil Kumar Bajal and B. K. Imtiyaz were part of the delegation.