Asia Media Forum Condemns Attack on Founder-Member

Journalists and social activist across Asia have joined the Asia Media Forum (AMF) in condemning the attack on award-winning Indian writer, columnist and social critic Paul Zacharia, allegedly by activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxists), which rules the south Indian state of Kerala, for airing in public his views on pertinent social and political issues.

Zacharia, a founder-member of the Asia Media Forum (AMF), has been an important public intellectual in India known for his uncompromising stand against fundamentalism of all varieties and discrimination. He came under attack from youths allegedly belonging to the CPI(M) for having voiced his concern about the growing trend towards vigilante interventions in society curtailing fundamental human freedoms. He was attacked shortly after he addressed a public gathering on January 9.

India has been experiencing a rise in moral policing and this has resulted in attacks on young men and women by fundamentalist outfits. There have also been attacks and vandalizing of art schools and painting exhibitions and intimidation of film makers attempting to address issues of sexuality and morality in Indian society. The attack on Zacharia is the latest such incident. Journalists and cultural activists across India have come out against the attack on the renowned writer.

In a statement, journalists and social and cultural activists have urged the Indian government and the government of Kerala to ensure that freedom of expression of every citizen, including important public intellectuals like Paul Zacharia, is preserved.

Signatories to the statement include Kavi Chengkittavorn (Thailand) and John Samuel (India), co-chairs of AMF, Shafqat Munir, Badar Alam (Pakistan), Nurul Kabir  (Bangladesh), Yubaraj Ghimire (Nepal), Kumar Ketkar, Sashikumar, Milind Kokje, Pamela Philipose, Pravin Tokekar, C. Gouridasan Nair (India), Melinda de Jesus (Philippines), Serath Nguon (Cambodia) and Endy Bayuni (Indonesia).