“We will cut off your hands”: CPI(M) workers’ threat to MediaOne editor draws Kerala journalist union’s ire

The Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) State Committee has strongly condemned the provocative slogans raised by CPI(M) workers in Wandoor, which included a threat to amputate the hand of MediaOne Managing Editor C Dawood.

During a protest rally on Thursday organised by the CPI(M) Vandur Area Committee, protesters hurled derogatory abuses at journalist C Dawood, accusing him of “spreading lies” about the party.

Among those present was CPI(M) Vandur Area Secretary B.M. Razaq, who, along with others, went so far as to threaten, “If you do so again, we will cut off your hands.”

Calling the slogans “highly objectionable,” the Kerala Union of Working Journalists said it is unacceptable “for a political party that claims to stand for media freedom and civil rights to openly resort to such threats and violations of rights.”

“There are many ways to express disagreement with media positions or expose misinformation, if any. But publicly declaring that a journalist should be physically eliminated is shameful for a party like CPI(M),” the statement issued by the union read.

The KUWJ further observed that calling for violent protests against MediaOne in the name of criticism poses a serious concern for the employees working there.

“The party leadership must be willing to rein in and correct such provocateurs,” they said.

KUWJ President K.P. Reji and General Secretary Suresh Edappal demanded police action against those who shouted such provocative threats.

C Dawood, who is also a writer, is known for TV show Out of Focus as well as his incisive writings on social, political, and religious issues.

Dawood, in his editorial program, criticised CPI(M)’s alleged Islamophobia, accusing the ruling party in Kerala of spreading hatred against Muslim organisations and their institutions, including MediaOne TV, over their critical stance on government policies.