Mangaluru has no Dil for Dilwale

Mangaluru: Members allegedly belonging to saffron outfits have started a campaign of posting derogatory remarks against a social activist in Mangaluru. Some have even stooped down to the level of threatening her with life and rape. One of the posts is said to have received over thousand shares in a social networking site. Her crime? Protesting against those who stalled the screening of Shah Rukh Khan’s movie Dilwale, in Mangaluru!

Citizens Forum for Mangalore Development Co-ordinator Vidya Dinker, who has been fighting against ‘immoral rowdies’ in the city, had raised voice against people who had stalled screening of the movie in Mangaluru city. She had also written letters to the Chief Minister and Home Minister. This move by Vidya has annoyed the saffron elements, who have started a campaign against her in the social media.

Some comments in the social media even amounts to threat of physical violence, rape and murder. “These comments are in very bad taste and can be considered a shame in the civic society. Some have posed life threat and also rape,” an activist said. Though the number of comments has decreased and some have been deleted after Vidya brought it to the notice of the police, some still continue posting derogatory remarks.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle Vidya demanded a strict action against those who had posted or commented in the social media. She has decided to approach the police. “Some of them have removed the comments after I brought it to the notice of the police. But strict action needs to be taken against them. They should be booked by the police,” she demanded.

“Puneeth Raj Kottari, said to be co-convener of Bajrang Dal in Mangaluru had put up a Facebook post with my photo day before yesterday. This was against me for supporting ‘Dilwale.’ I sent the screenshot of the post to the Police Commissioner, who summoned him and issued a warning after which the post was removed. There were many comments in the post which were derogatory. Police should note them and book a case against them,” she said.

She was also angry with a Facebook page where defaming of Vidya still continues. “The ‘Veera Kesari,’ page still continues to post derogatory post against me. I will bring this to the notice of the police. Strict action needs to be taken against those who have posted derogatory remarks and commented in the group,” she said.

Two teams had met Deputy Commissioner to complaint against these elements. However no FIR was filed till Thursday evening. Police Commissioner S. Murugan told reporters that a case would be registered if a complaint was registered with the police. A protest will be held in front of Town Hall, Bengaluru on Friday evening against threat to Vidya Dinker.