Media and the Tagging of Bhatkal Town

MEDIA AND THE TAGGING OF BHATKAL TOWN Editors Abu Nusaiba Koppal & Azhar Pilakodan First Edition December 2014 Editors Abu Nusaiba Koppal & Azhar Pilakodan price : Rs.100 SIO, Media Watch Department No.7, SRK Garden, Jayanagar East, Bangalore-560041 Tel: 080-26646861 www.siokarnataka.org Printed at Xcellent Printers, Bangalore. 2 PRefaCE When it comes to terrorism, it is quite routine for the mainstream media to pub- lish speculator news reports. If one reads that news, anyone can deduce that these reports betray what is called as ‘Islamophobia’. Especially after 1993 news connecting terrorism and Bhatkal town is being pub- lished continually in the news media. After 2010 Muslim predominant Azamghad of Uttarpradesh is being termed as ‘Athankghad’. During 2011 Bihar is colossally pub- licized as another Azamghad’ In fact many youths arrested allegedly for terrorism activities belonged to Darbanga, Samastipur and Madhubani of Bihar where Muslim population predominates. It is another issue that there were no charge sheets nor an- ything is proved of those arrested? When it relates to terrorism the media instead of investigating the truth, most of the time publishes stories for mere sensation. There are many other reasons for the publication of false stories in the media. Most of the reporters while reporting stories on terrorism instead of collecting the information from the investigating team or police head rely upon the smatter- ings doled out by hawaldars or constables. Another reason being carried over by the reports in the global media! Bhatkal Town is also a victim of such propaganda. Bhatkal town which remains peaceful otherwise, right from 1993 due to the machinations of the media attained notoriety. This has caused immense psychological trauma to its peaceful residents. This has tended to lower the self esteem of its youth who are hesitant to reveal their identity in another town. Students Islamic organization of India had brought out a detailed analytical re- port titled “Media and Terror: facts and fiction” on the media sensation and reports carried by the state media when few youths of Bangalore were arrested on terrorism charges during the previous year. Our Media watch team brings out another publication by analyzing the media reports on Bhatkal and its multi ethnic peace loving populace. We are thankful to Mr. Azhar Pilakodan and Abu Nusaiba Koppal in edit- ing its contents. We acknowledge the cooperation extended by Sahil Online, Naseef Bhatkal and all other friends. - Thouseef Ahmed Madikeri Zonal President, SIO Karnataka. 3 Contents... Preface Bhatkal – The town of surreal beaches 5 Media & Bhatkal: Seen-Unseen 10-15 Defamed Town – Bhatkal 16-18 Terrorism and Media Manipulation 19-21 Why doesn’t Indore become Bhatkal? 22-28 Error by world largest circulated English daily 29-31 ¸ÀÄAzÀgÀ PÀgÁªÀ½ ¥ÀæzÉÃ±À ¨sÀlÌ¼À 33-35 ¨sÁµÁ vÀdÕgÀ UÀªÀÄ£À ¸É¼ÉAiÀÄÄwÛgÀÄªÀ £ÀªÁAiÀÄw 36-37 ¨sÀlÌ¼ÀzÀ°è DgïrJPïì: PÀvÉ PÀnÖzÀ ªÀiÁzsÀåªÀÄUÀ¼ÀÄ 38-39 ¨sÀlÌ¼À JAzÀgÉ ªÀiÁzsÀåªÀÄUÀ½UÉÃQµÀÄÖ ªÀÄvÀìgÀ??? 40-43 ¨sÀlÌ¼ÀzÀ°è ªÀiÁzsÀåªÀÄUÀ¼ÀÄ PÀAqÀzÀÄÝ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ PÁtzÀÄÝ 44-48 EAzÉÆÃgï KzÉ ¨sÀlÌ¼À DUÀÄªÀÅ¢®è 49-54 Media Reports 55-67 4 BHATKAL llAzharuddin Pilakkud The Town of Surreal Beaches way from the din of the city and the curling smoke from industrial Achimneys, Bhatkal is one of the fascinating towns to explore and rejuvenate the mind and the soul. Bhatkal is wedged between the lofty Sayhadri Mountains (Western Ghats) and the azure Arabian Sea. Bhatkal, situated in the district of Uttar Kannada (North Canara) in the state of Karnataka, India, is also a little paradise. While the culture of the denizens of this picturesque vibrant town, is of mixed origin – the two significant strands being the Arab and local lifestyle. The Nawayath community here has catapulted this town to international fame for all good reasons. Bhatkal is a prosperous town with old quaint houses sharing space along with modern designer mansions and elegant shopping complexes. Steeped in history, abounding in edicts, monuments reflecting the glory of bygone era. The thriving town is a canvas of peace, affluence and piety. History Bhatkal holds a very significant place in the history of our nation. Bhatkal witnessed the rise and fall of several dynasties and rulers. Bhatkal was a part and parcel of Hoysala Empire from 1291 to 1343 before falling into the hands of the Vijayanagara Empire. Many rulers tried to gain control over this town by hook and crook. Paradoxical thought it may seem, very little is known about the history of this place prior to the 12th century A.D. except a few stray references here and there. It was a stupendous task to reconstruct the history of the town. Notwithstanding these facts there is a conclusive evidence which goes to prove that Bhatkal was a part and parcel of the Hoysala Empire for more than 5 50 years during the rule of Ballal III from 1291 to 1343. The rulers of Vijayanagara Empire administered Bhatkal with Honnavar as the headquarters. Varthema, the Italian traveller speaks very highly of Bhatkal. In his words, Bhatkal was a noble city, very beautiful; Bhatkal was among the top-ranking centers of trade and commerce in the Vijayanagara Empire. After the disintegration of Vijayanagara Empire, the Saluva Rulers of Haduvalli brought this coveted town under their rule. Thus the dawn of 15th century marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Bhatkal. Many temples and bastis came to be constructed here during Chennabhaira Devi’s rule. It is a matter of great pride to us to recall that the eminent scholar like Akalanka II, who was the mentor of the renowned Kannada grammarian Bhattakalanka (1598) was a great son of this locality. From Keladi rulers, Bhatkal passed on to Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan from whom it came under the British in 1799. Bhatkal did not lag behind when compared to its counterparts in our struggle for freedom as in other parts of the country. The historic Quit India procession was taken place here during the second week of 1942. There were two divisions of Canara in November 1800 – Northern and Southern; Bhatkal was in the northern division. In 1871, both the divisions merged to emerge as a single division. In 1862, the single division was again divided into two districts – Uttar Kannada with Bhatkal Pethe being transferred into the Bombay presidency. In 1960 – Bhatkal was elevated as a taluk. Demographics Bhatkal had a population of approximately 110,000 as per 2011 census. Bhatkal has an average literacy rate of 83% higher than the national average 6 of 59.5%; with male literacy of 88% and female literacy of 78%. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age. Muslim Nawayathis predominant in Bhatkal. The people of Bhatkal are typically called “Bhatkallies” and have spread afarsince the 1960s, including UK, US, Australia but more so across the Middle East especially Bahrain, UAE and Saudi. Origin of Nawayaths Nawayaths are migrants predominantly from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and fewer from Persia who married into another trading community of India, the Jains more than 1000 years ago. Settlements The settlements comprise clusters of old structures in compact areas and are called Saiys. In every street there is a mosque catering to the spiritual needs of the devout inhabitants. Culture The traditional dress code of Nawayath men consists of Kurta, Lungi and Topi. Their ladies have opted for the local Indian way of dressing. Notwithstanding this, full Purdah is a must for women.They are light skinned and good looking people. They are very religious people. There are around 100 mosques in the town. Nawayaths of Bhatkal do not go in for intercaste marriages. Marriages are conducted as laid down in the laws of Islam. It is gratifying to note that the obnoxious and much- hated dowry system has not raised its dirty head in the Nawayath community and has been strictly prohibited. Language The community speaks a dialect called “Nawayathi”. It is an amalgam of 7 Portuguese, Persian, Arabic, Hebrew, Marathi and Hindi with Konkani as its base. The script is Urdu and Persia. Food The traditional food of the Nawayath has always been rice, fish and meat. Seafood has been the mainstay of the Nawayathi diet for centuries. Dishes forming part of the Bhatkallies cuisines; Bhatkali Biriyani Mudkale Navari…….. Most of their foods are mainly adopted from the surrounding regions including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and other parts of India. Tourism Bhatkal has been quite a hustling spot mainly because of various ancient mosques and temples. The town is considered as a Spiritual town. The world famous Shiva Statue is located near Bhatkal. Visitors to Bhatkal go back carrying with them pleasant memories of the flora and fauna, the surreal beaches, archeological treasures at Bhatkal speak volumes about the history of Bhatkal and they sketch its rich heritage. The entire Bhatkal beach area with a fishing port and a lighthouse atop a hillock offers a breathtaking view. Tourism is one of the important source of revenue. Education The Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen spear – headed the long drawn battle against illiteracy. A wide range of educational institutions ranging from the kindergarten schools to the professional colleges have come into being. Many religious schools are established in Bhatkal. Jamia – Islamia is the premier and prestigious college for Islamic learning for boys which attracts students from far and wide. Jamiat-u-Salihath is an institution meant for girls. 8 When the Anjuman Hami-e- Muslimeen, the pioneering education trust at Bhatkal was twenty years old, Bhatkal saw the birth of yet another trust which embraced upon its soil to fulfill the needs of the Kannada speaking people.

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