Taslima attack: Journalists comes out with Hyderabad declaration

Hyderabad, Aug 16 (UNI) Noted journalists in the city today expressed anguish over the Andhra Pradesh Government's alleged ''soft approach'' towards the All India Majilis-E-Itihadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) which attacked Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen here recently and inaction of the police in bringing the culprits to book.

Expressing concern over growing politicisation of religion in all its ugly forms and appealing to political parties to desist from such ''self-serving'' goals, the journalists demanded an unconditional apology from the AIMIM.

Adopting the 'Hyderabad declaration'', the journalists said ''we consider the attack as a direct onslaught on media institutions like Press Clubs that promote freedom of expression.

Places like Press Clubs world over have been the venues for people of different ideologies, faiths and belief to express their views freely without any fear,''they added.

''Of late, institutions like Press Clubs were becoming targets for some intolerant sections that have no faith in democratic values. We warn all those indulging in such attacks that we will not remain silent spectators to such heinous acts.'' The journalists, who took part in the deliberations, included Official language Commission Chairman A B K Prasad, Andhra Jyothi Editor K Ramchandra Murthy, Andhra Pradesh Press Academy chairman D Amar, Indian Journalists Union Secretary General K Sreenivas Reddy, Hindu Deputy Editor S Nagesh Kumar, Times of India Resident Editor Kingshuk Nag and New Indian Express Deputy Resident Editor G S Vasu, and Press Club Secretary R Ravikanth Reddy.

UNI