Congress demands action against attackers on Loksatta editor

New Delhi, Jun 6 (UNI) The Congress today condemned the attack on the residence of Mr Kumar Ketkar, Editor of Loksatta, at Thane yesterday, and demanded stringent action against the guilty.

"It is unfortunate that the freedom of expression is throttled and stifled in this manner," AICC spokespersons Manish Tewari said.

In this context, he referred to the cases of sedition registered against the Editor and Correspondents of the Ahmedabad edition of the Times of India.

"It is reflective of growing intolerance to legitimate criticism.

We would like to reject it," he said, while pointing out that "violence against freedom of expression has absolutely no place in democratic society based on rule of law." Mr Tewari criticised the BJP government in Gujarat for not withdrawing the cases of sedition despite protests by civil society.

When his attention was drawn to the fact that Loksatta Editor was attacked in the Congress-ruled state of Mahrashtra, he said.

''Whether Maharashtra or Gujarat, it does not matter. What is wrong is wrong. All involved in the attacks should be brought to book." UNI SH AM HT1912