Listen to what eminent minds have to say: Yechury to govt

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury today hailed protests by intellectuals over alleged incidents of intolerance in the country and asked the government to listen what the "eminent minds" have to say even as he sought action against those spreading communal hatred.
"I think it is a very bold gesture that many of them have shown by returning their awards. They have, in a sense, resonated with the general public mood in the country which is determined to safeguard the secular democratic foundation of our country.
"...We are telling the government to listen to what the eminent minds in our country are saying. Filmmakers, they are literally on the streets returning their awards and government refuses to even hear them, hear the point of view they are raising," Yechury said while talking to reporters on party's two-day politburo meeting that concluded yesterday.

The Rajya Sabha MP criticised BJP's dubbing of intellectuals including writers, scientists, historians and filmmakers returning awards as "Leftists", saying instead of considering their views, BJP leaders were "politically fabricating" the individuals.
He said with the protest gaining "snowballing momentum", the BJP-led government should answer what action it is going to take against its own leaders allegedly causing intolerance.
Yechury also termed BJP's questioning of timing of the protest by intellectuals as "petty argument and ridiculous".
"It is a petty argument the BJP leaders are making that why they have not protested, let's say after 1984 riots, some other time, but why are they protesting today. It's a shameless defence. I mean it's like saying why was I not born 10 years ago. This is ridiculous. Scientist, we all maintain, they have no political orientation," he added.