Publication facing boycott calls on social media.
By Sreekanth A. Nair
Mathrubhumi, the second largest circulated daily in Kerala, is facing heat on social media despite tendering an unconditional apology for allegedly publishing derogatory comments about Prophet Mohammed.
‘Boycott Mathrubhumi’ campaigns are going viral on Facebook and Twitter with people posting photos and videos of burning the newspaper in public.
Many Muslim groups and organizations had staged a protest in front of the offices of the daily, including its headquarters in Kozhikode. Along with this, the pressure from social media also compelled the daily to publish an apology on its front page.
It all started when the daily published a comment that appeared on Facebook in connection with the statement of Kerala High Court judge Kemal Pasha questioning the practice of polygamy among Muslims and criticizing some clauses in Muslim personal law that discriminate against women.
On Wednesday Kozhikode and Thrissur editions of the daily carried the offensive comment in a column called ‘AppTalks,’ while discussing the statement of Pasha.
Several Muslim organizations, including Popular Front of India, Social Democratic Party of India, Peoples Democratic Party, and Samastha Kerala Sunny Students Federation came out heavily against the daily and staged protests in front of its offices.
Many activists made phone calls to its offices to complain about the issue.
As pressure mounted, Mathrubhumi published an apology on its website and news channelon Wednesday evening. All print editions of the daily also carried an unconditional apology on Thursday on the front page.
“We understood that the reactions to the remarks made by the judge while inaugurating a seminar on the Domestic Violence Act at Kozhikode on Sunday had hurt the believers. We regret for publishing them,” the daily said.
The management also urged the government to take action against people who make such comments on social media. Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala acted immediately on the request and ordered Additional Director General of Police A Hemachandran to take necessary action.