Former JNU student Sharjeel Imam is undergoing trial for advocating separation of Assam and North East from India. But, unfortunately, those who encourage separatism in South India through camouflage are getting Kerala government’s patronage.
A global media conclave – Cutting South – with an agenda to push secessionist narratives in South India is being held from March 24 to 26.
Although official sponsors of the program include Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), Kerala Media academy, Canada, Confluence Media, The News Minute and Newslaundry, Khalistanis and other anti-India foreign agencies are suspected to be behind the initiative. “There is a clear agenda of pushing anti-India narratives through this conclave. This was the agenda of PFI. Investigative agencies should probe the source of income. What is the interests of Canada and other clandestine organizations funding this event?,” said a media commentator.
According to a social media post by one of the organisers, it is an attempt by “a group of independent media houses to celebrate good journalism, especially with a focus on both southern India and the Global South” – the countries outside the US sphere of influence. The three-day event will start on March 25. “The event has several significances— this year marks 175 years since the first Malayalam publication appeared, it is the first effort in southern India to celebrate the region’s journalism, and most importantly it is the first effort in Global South (comprising of Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania) to celebrate its glorious traditions in journalism, and to decolonize the narrative around the profession.”
Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan is scheduled to inaugurate the event online.
In a chargesheet filed by National Investigative Agency (NIA) against PFI, it was stated that PFI was planning to make South India hub of Islamic terrorism to mount an onslaught on India to make it an Islamic country. NIA has based its argument on the basis of documents seized and statements of witnesses.
KUWJ, the Left-leaning trade union, had taken up the legal fight for Siddique Kappan, a dubious journalist, who was arrested under UAPA for attempting to create social unrest in Uttar Pradesh. There were questions asked when KUWJ took up Kappan’s case, as he had deep links with PFI. The banned outfit has allegedly funded the PFI campaign.
According media observers, this is an attempt to push secessionist narratives in South India. There is no clarity as to who is funding it. “Some anti-India groups in the US and Canada are funding it,” said a journalist. One person associated with the event has strong links with Canadian based outfits, he said.
After the event triggered a major controversy, some organizations which are not comfortable associating with it may withdraw themselves.
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