Jodhpur youth assaulted after praising 'The Kerala Story' on status

A youth was assaulted after he posted a status praising 'The Kerala Story'. The assaulters accused him of defaming a religion, he complained.

Jodhpur: A day after the theatric release of 'The Kerala Story', a Dalit youth was assaulted allegedly for posting a status on his mobile phone praising the movie yesterday, police sources said. The victim is known to be associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Probe is on and the accused will be arrested, police said.

When VHP workers learnt about the assault, they reached Uday Mandir police station this afternoon to launch a protest. ACP Derawar Singh said that a case has been registered on the basis of the youth's complaint. Efforts are on to nab the accused, police said.

In his complaint, 24-year-old Abhishek, son Raju Sargara said he was returning home between 8:30 to 9:00 pm on Saturday when three youths stopped him at Merti Gate on the main road near Kali Tanki. The youths, Pintu, Aman and Ali asked for his phone and after checking the status criticised him for putting up a status praising 'The Kerala Story', Abhishek told police. He complained that the youths even beat him up and accused him of defaming a religion.

In his status, Abhishek wrote that Kerala Story is a very good movie that should be watched by all the girls of the world. "I wrote that by watching the movie all girls and daughters can be saved from conversion and their lives will be safe. There is nothing in my status that can hurt the religious sentiments," Abhishek said.

VHP leaders said that the film has been released after getting the necessary clearances and all are free to watch it. Some hardliners are not liking it if they come down on attacking innocent people then it will not be tolerated, they said. The screening of the film has been stopped in some states while BJP-run Madhya Pradesh government has made it tax-free.