Students' body denounces 'fascist' threats to economist

Students' body denounces 'fascist' threats to economist
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NAGPUR, JULY 30: The All India Students' Federation (AISF) has condemned threats to noted economist and writer Dr S V Khandewale for his fearless writings against communal forces.

Addressing a press conference, Jammu Anand, AISF secretary, said Dr Khandewale received threatening telephone calls and also a letter from an organisation called the Hindu Rapid Action Force, warning him of dire consequences if he did not stop writing against communal forces. He said the letter referred to Dr Khandewale's recent article in a local Marathi daily.

He described the forces issuing threats as `fascist' organisations and termed the threats as `undemocratic' and said it amounted to attacks on freedom of expression. Instead of debating over the issues raised by him, the facist forces were resorting to terror-tactics, he alleged.

An AISF delegation met Commissioner of Police, B N Mishra, in this regard. Other members included Shyam Kale, Ranjana Mahajan, Sarita Gurnule, Dinesh Sahare, Nisha Nagrare and Mahesh Aloni.

Meanwhile, the Indian Mine Workers' Federation Coordination Committee has also issued a statement condemning threats to Dr Khandewale. The meeting also denounced the RSS for demanding that a case should be filed against Dr Khandewale.

The meeting appealed to the working class to stand by the secular forces. It also pointed out that Khandewale's article was based on another article by D Raja, secretary, National Council, CPI. It was reproduced by other national dailies and weekly magazines in last two years.