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| Forward Press would publish its last issue in June this year. |
February 26, 2016, NewsCrunch
The pro-Dalit bilingual Hindi-English monthly, Forward Press, is reportedly shutting down.
The noted magazine had been raided by
The magazine has covered Mahishasura extensively depicting him as an icon of oppressed classes referring to the popular traditions across the country where he is looked up to than demonised.
Its editor, Pramod Ranjan, told The Telegraph that Forward Press would publish its last issue in June this year.
"…We have continued to face physical attacks, phone threats and online intimidation. With the BJP at the helm, life has become more difficult for us," he said explaining why he was shutting down Forward Press.
The celebration of Mahishasura divas has become a contentious issue between left-wing and right-wing student groups in JNU.
The Hindu reported that in October 2014 left-leaning students distributed pamphlets that was opposed by the right-wing students, who said the leaflets had “objectionable pictures” and text about the Goddess Durga.
It was the text from these pamphlets, Union HRD Minister had tried to read aloud in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, to show that JNU students were indulging in anti-Hindu activities.
A section of JNU students had also put up a poster featuring a painting of Mahishasura by artist Lal Ratnakar, which had been published in the October 2011 issue of Forward Press. It was this poster that reportedly became controversial leading to police raids on Forward Press for offending Hindu sentiments.
Four staffers of magazine Forward Presshad been detained by the police on charges of hurting religious sentiments, according to The Hindu.