By Ashraf Padanna/Thiruvananthapuram
A top police officer says caste discrimination is rampant in Kerala and cited the example of actor Kalabhavan Mani, who is on the run after he was charged with assaulting forest officials.
The award winning actor allegedly assaulted two forest officials who stopped his car and searched for suspected smuggling at Kannankuzhi, near Athirappilly forests last week. The Kerala High Court is to decide on his anticipatory bail.
“I asked (the police officer who ordered a search for Mani) if he would do the same if it was Mammootty, Mohanlal, Dileep or Jayaram? If the answer is no, then you have not changed and you still live in the era of discrimination on the basis of your colour,” Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) T P Senkumar said.
Though the officer, known for his impeccable integrity, was addressing police officers in Kollam, his speech received wide coverage on television channels. He said the force is still ruled by the attitude of saluting the white-skinned and victimising the coloured.
The police have sounded alert at all airports for Mani whose lawyer insists he was angry after the forest officials misbehaved with the wife of his friend who was also in his car. His friend also faces assault charges.
When the anticipatory bail application came for hearing in the court yesterday, prosecution general T Asif Ali opposed it saying Mani was a habitual offender.
“There’s some truth in Senkumar’s statement. He’s the most honest officer in the police and I believe discrimination on the basis of caste is a reality in all spheres,” said Congress Party leader and former minister Pandalam Sudhakaran.
The Vettilappara police registered a case against Mani for “voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from doing his duty,” “using obscene words” and “criminal intimidation.” When the officers told Mani to halt his car for checking, he allegedly hit them.
According to Mani’s lawyer, he was travelling in his car with Dr Gopinath and his wife Jaya when the officers told him to stop. Without any provocation, the officers used abusive language and insulted Jaya. They outraged her modesty by abusing her. The lawyer said the officers, with the intention to humiliate Mani, called him by his caste name.
The forest officials, who insisted Mani was drunk, said he was at the wheel when his car was stopped.