Now a 'Secular VCD' to counter BJP's 'communal CD'

Lucknow, Apr 11 (UNI) In an apparent bid to counter the controversial CD of the Bharatiya Janata Party, slammed for its communally inflammatory contents, a social group today came out with its own CD with a message to 'stop hatred'.

Titled as 'Secular Voices', the disc has been produced by a social group -- Anhad, headed by Shabnam Hashmi.

The social group has brought together 27 celebrities from various walks of life to spread the message 'Stop Hatred' through the VCD.

The 30-minute long CD has messages against hatred from celebrities including journalists Tarun Tejpal, Rajdeep Sardesai, Barkha Dutt, dancers Aditi Mangaldas and Mallika Sarabhai, painter Aparna Caur, actress Zohra Sehgal and academician S K Thorat.

The VCD was released by city-based activist Rooprehka Verma.

Ms Hashmi said the idea was to get the youth involved in anti-communalism crusade, and the VCD was a part of the campaign.

''We had earlier planned to launch the VCD in Gujarat. But after the BJP's CD became public, we decided to launch it in Lucknow,'' she added.

The group plans to release the CD across the country, especially in areas where communalism has taken root. Uttar Pradesh was chosen as the first destination in view of the ongoing Assembly elections.

UNI