Writers group flays state govt inaction on 'Parzania'

Ahmedabad, Feb 14 (UNI) Twenty of Gujarat's prominent civic society institutes and citizen's groups in a resolution have flayed the State government for not allowing the release of the movie 'Parzania'.

''Condemning the Government for being inactive in cases like 'Parzania' and demanding pro-active steps to protect the freedom of expression'' Gujarati Lekhak Mandal (writers association of Gujarat) said in a release.

The release of the film 'Parzania' in Gujarat is being stalled by unconstitutional and illegal means, the release added.

The fascist groups are openly obstructing the filmmakers' right to exhibit the film and people's freedom to watch it by threatening the concerned persons. The nation as a whole is condemning such incidents, lately on the rise in Gujarat, the release said.

Maintaining an atmosphere of peace, free of fear is State government's responsibility. Instead it appears to be indirectly supporting these undemocratic forces in their fascist agenda of intimidation of civil society, by not responding or not taking any steps against them.

As the socially concerned citizen's groups and representative institutes, we demand from the government and administration that they perform their constitutional duties and take proactive steps to stop these fascist elements, behaving as the extra-constitutional powers.

Those organisations who have endorsed the resolution are Gujarati Lekhak Mandal, Movment for Secular Democracy, Lok Adhikar Sangh, PUCL, Prashant, Samvedan Sanskrutik Karykram, Darshan, Janpath, Ganatar, Naya Marg, Nirikshak, Bhoomiputra Pakshik, Gujarat Sarvodaya Mandal, Mahila Punaruthan Sangh, Drishti Media arts and Human Rights, Fade-in Theatre, Gujarat Christian Press Council, Abhikram, Manaviya Technology Forum and Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti.

UNI