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In the wake of the attack on Mahesh Bhatt's Mumbai office, a group of activists met President A P J Abdul Kalam on Monday and requested him to take steps to protect those who were taking a stand against goonda raj in the country.
"Though there was a mention of Bhatt's case, we did not discuss it in particular. But we briefed Kalam about the goonda raj prevailing in the country. There is an attempt to silence voices raised against communalism," ad guru Alyque Padamsee told reporters after the meeting.
The President has told the seven-member delegation, including veteran journalist Kuldeep Nayyar, lawyer Majeed Memon and activist Teesta Setlevad, that he has 'grasped the problem and will ponder over that'.
Padamsee said the meeting was 'encouraging and was overwhelmed by the reponse we got from the President' as the group briefed Kalam about the 'creeping fascism and the breakdown of rule of law in the country'.
"Kalam has asked us to e-mail him five suggestions to contain fascism, improve free speech and ensure rule of law in the country," veteran journalist Kuldeep Nayyar said.
Last week, a suspected associate of gangster Ravi Pujari walked into Bhatt's office and fired a shot. Shortly after the incident, Pujari said he wanted to kill Bhatt for allegedly aiding gangsters Dawood Ibrahim and Chota Shakeel in their 'movie business'.