PIPFPD stands with Ramya’s statement ’Pakistan is not hell. People are just like us."
Press Statement
Pakistan India Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Democracy
August 23, 2016
India’s Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar recently made an irresponsible statement on 16th of August, when he said that "Going to Pakistan is the same as going to hell." Kannada actor turned politician Ramya, who is also an ex-MP from Congress, referred to Parrikar’s statement when sharing her experience of recently having visited Pakistan to attend a SAARC Young Parliamentarians Conference in Islamabad. She said "Pakistan is not hell. People are just like us. They treated us very well". As a result of this statement, a sedition case has been filed against her under Section 124A of the IPC by K. Vittal Gowda, a Coorg-based advocate. The matter is posted for hearing on August 27th.
According to news reports, K.V. Gowda has accused the actress turned politician of insulting India by appreciating Pakistan and provoking the Indians. This controversy has already taken a political turn when BJP held a protest against the actor’s remark in Karnataka last Sunday, 21st August.
Pakistan India Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) condemns such jingoistic acts. It is shocking to see that a message promoting peace between Pakistan and India can result in sedition cases against a person. Charges being put against Ramya in this case are baseless and PIPFPD stands with her.
For further details contact: 09869077718 | pipfpd.india@gmail.com
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SEE ALSO:
- Accused of sedition, actress-politician says won’t apologise for Pak comment
by Aditya Iyer, Hindustan Times, Chennai | Aug 23, 2016
- Ramya’s rights: Scrap sedition and criminal defamation laws being used to throttle democracy August 25, 2016, 2:00 am IST TOI Edit in TOI Editorial
- No More Sedition, Editorial, The Wire26 August 2016 ]