09-07-2012, 05:53 AM
Above URL has a photo of cricket stadium filled with PFI members, over 75000 in one spot
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ENGINEERING STUDENT Rayana Khasi returned home to north Kerala from Chennai four months ago, charmed and unaware that she was carrying deadly arsenal in her baggage. She had just finished with a course in aeronautical engineering, and was considering a career in the civil services. From Chennai she brought a few of her favourite things. Dreams. Knickknacks. Jeans. In Kasargod, northern Kerala, where she lived, Rayana got the shock of her life. They hated her jeans. They called her at odd times, men she didnââ¬â¢t know, and told her what they would do with her if she didnââ¬â¢t dump the jeans and put on purdah. Each time Rayana stepped out, they stared and said horrible things.
Then, four months later, she wrote to the Womenââ¬â¢s Commission asking that she be allowed to wear what she likes. The state posted constables to protect Rayana so she could sport denim. Now, they stalked her. One day Rayana was returning after meeting her lawyer in Ernakulam, a town near the middle of Kerala. The constable got off midway. A group tried to block the car Rayana was in. She drove off. They chased the car and attacked her with stones. She had to drive to a town nearby, where the locals lent a touch of security. All this, because they didnââ¬â¢t like what she wore. Because they thought she was impious.
Hindus and Christians are beginning to feel uncomfortable with this brand of assertive, militant religion-centred politics of the Popular Front of India
THEY SAID they were from the Popular Front of India. Initially it was teasing and harassment. But harassment is worse than a threat to life. The comments and staring each time I ventured out, as if I was a criminal, was intolerable. They wrote to me saying they want me to wear purdah. They said what I did was blasphemy. But I donââ¬â¢t think it is a problem of Islam. This is an issue of the right over oneââ¬â¢s body. It is sad that everybody is making it out as a religious problem, even those who support me,ââ¬Â says Rayana. Soon after the stone attack, she met Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan and the DGP. ââ¬ÅThey promised me they would do their best.ââ¬Â
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ENGINEERING STUDENT Rayana Khasi returned home to north Kerala from Chennai four months ago, charmed and unaware that she was carrying deadly arsenal in her baggage. She had just finished with a course in aeronautical engineering, and was considering a career in the civil services. From Chennai she brought a few of her favourite things. Dreams. Knickknacks. Jeans. In Kasargod, northern Kerala, where she lived, Rayana got the shock of her life. They hated her jeans. They called her at odd times, men she didnââ¬â¢t know, and told her what they would do with her if she didnââ¬â¢t dump the jeans and put on purdah. Each time Rayana stepped out, they stared and said horrible things.
Then, four months later, she wrote to the Womenââ¬â¢s Commission asking that she be allowed to wear what she likes. The state posted constables to protect Rayana so she could sport denim. Now, they stalked her. One day Rayana was returning after meeting her lawyer in Ernakulam, a town near the middle of Kerala. The constable got off midway. A group tried to block the car Rayana was in. She drove off. They chased the car and attacked her with stones. She had to drive to a town nearby, where the locals lent a touch of security. All this, because they didnââ¬â¢t like what she wore. Because they thought she was impious.
Hindus and Christians are beginning to feel uncomfortable with this brand of assertive, militant religion-centred politics of the Popular Front of India
THEY SAID they were from the Popular Front of India. Initially it was teasing and harassment. But harassment is worse than a threat to life. The comments and staring each time I ventured out, as if I was a criminal, was intolerable. They wrote to me saying they want me to wear purdah. They said what I did was blasphemy. But I donââ¬â¢t think it is a problem of Islam. This is an issue of the right over oneââ¬â¢s body. It is sad that everybody is making it out as a religious problem, even those who support me,ââ¬Â says Rayana. Soon after the stone attack, she met Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan and the DGP. ââ¬ÅThey promised me they would do their best.ââ¬Â