Alappuzha, Jan 9: The houseboat of Nobel Laureate Michael Levitt was blocked in the backwaters here for some time by trade union activists, who were on a nationwide strike against the Centre's "anti-labour" policies on Wednesday.
Michael Levitt, an American-British-Israeli biophysicist and a professor of structural biology at the Stanford University in the United States, said the incident sent a bad message to tourists.
Levitt, who was in Kerala as a state guest, also said he felt as if a bandit had stopped his wife and him at gunpoint. Police said Levitt, who received the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was in Alappuzha with his wife and they were stopped by the protesters near Kainakary.
"Being stopped by criminals on the backwaters sends a very bad message to tourists. It is as if a bandit stopped us at gunpoint and delayed us under the threat of force for one hour," Levitt wrote in an email to his tour agent at Kottayam.
In the email, which was later released to the media, he also said the person who blocked them "ignored all arguments that tourists were exempted" from the strike.
"This person, who did this, ignored all arguments that tourists were exempted and that I am a VIP guest of the Kerala government. He was obviously acting, knowing that he was safe from prosecution. Sadly, this makes me fear that India is sinking into lawlessness," Levitt wrote in the email.
The police registered a case after the houseboat owners filed a complaint in this regard.
Reacting to the incident, state Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said the government would take strong action. "Strong action will be taken against those anti-social elements who stopped the boat. Levitt was here as a guest of the state government. The government had made it clear that the tourism industry was exempted from the strike," he said.
Trade union leaders had also announced that the strike would not affect the tourism industry.
Ten trade unions, including the INTUC, the AITUC and the CITU, had called for the nationwide strike to protest against the labour reforms, FDI, disinvestment, corporatisation and privatisation policies of the Centre and press for a 12-point demands of the working class, relating to minimum wage, among others.
Comments
If you read the History of Meelad un Nabie (Sallallaho Alaih-e-Wassalam) The biggest and the most grand Meelad was celebrated by Allah Ta'ala so from where it became bidat to rejoice on the birth day of Our Beloved Prophrt Sallallaho Alaih-e-Wasalam)? Be happy dont cry bidah like the shaitaan.
Kind words/Kind behavior is for non Muslims/Momins not for the Munafiqs who oppose Mouludunnabi and ask for the proof to celebrate the Moulood, for those Munafiqs Allah Subhan wa Ta'ala has used some words in Quran Surah Al Qalam Verse 13
When Allah Almighty has used those words we are following the Quran there is no harm in using those words for a Munafiq.
Mr. Sayed Kaleem, please use kind words on one another....this is what it is lacking in Muslims....they think superior to one another....if you can try to convince others with your comments with nice words.....try to be a good person first....
Surah Al Ma'idah Verse 114
Surah Al Duha Verse 11
Surah Al Fatha Verse 28
Surah Al Saf Verse 6
Surah Touba Verse 128
Surah Aal E Imaran Verse 164
Surah Al Yunus Verse 57/58
Surah Al Anbiya Verse 107
O Blind , when did you read the Quran? Are you Munafiqs? go back to Quran search for the above ayas
There is no aya in Quraan or any hadeeth which says date or celebrate prophet's birthday. People who dont read tafseer of Quraan do this kind of foolish things to show other religions dat we are not united. There is no one such incident where sahabas have celebrated Rasool's birthday.Guys please wake up & read Quraan wit Tasfeer & follow authentic Hadeeth...May Allah give Hidaya to these people who have taken wrong path by themselves
No Comments/Objection for any Muslim sponsoring cricket tournament and spending lacks of rupees with half naked women dancing on the stage, No question/Objection for the Muslim youths wearing uniform and playing cricket spending their time on the ground why you munafiqs have not questioned, No Objection/Comments on those Muslim college students protesting on the street and blocking the roads and damaging the Goverment Properties and blocking the the roads were many people are serious need to go to hospitals.
why only when the celebration is only for the Milad of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam.
the above question is for all the Munafiqs who object the Celebration of the Mouludunnabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Moulud or Milad is Prophet's (PBAUH) birthday, which is being celebrated every 3rd month 12th day of the Hijra year... but why moulanas asking people to celebrate it throughout the year....I did not get it....like if there is happiness or sadness or grief they ask people to celebrate birthday of prophet (PBAUH)...no clue....
When a cricket tournament is organized by a muslim sponsor in which half naked women dance on the stage those money spent is not questioned from this idiots, they have problem when a Milad rally is organised where people gather and send Salaath on the beloved Rasool of Allah.
This is very much clear that those who oppose the Milad rally are munafiqs.
Warafa'na Laka zikrak. Rahega yunhi unka charcha rahega, padey khaak ho jaye jaljaney waaley.
U people are blocking the road. Where many people who are serious may have to go to hospital.
We all love our beloved prophet. Don't trouble others during that day.
Many countries giving holiday NOT to celebrate on streets.
Giving zakat to poor is the best celebration.
Sure.. Miskeens will be wholeheartedly invited for my milad to enjoy free biryani..
EID Milad un nabi (SAW) Mubarak Ho for all Momin
FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO INSIST FOR CHARITY TO POOR PEOPLE RATHER THAN SPENDING FOR MILADUNNABI
PLEASE IMPLEMENT A SYSTEM IN YOUR LIFE AND FAMILY THAT ANY MARRIAGE FROM UR FAMILY WILL BE SIMPLE, AVOID MARRIAGE HALL, AVOID DECORATION, AVOID MEHENDI FUNCTION, AND DONT CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY OF UR KIDS, SPOUSE, BROTHER, SISTER ETC, DONT CELEBRATE THE MARRIAGE ANNIVERSSARY.
INSTEAD DO CHARITY.
FIRST OF ALL EVALUATE YOURSELF AND DETACH FROM ALL THESE DEEDS, THEN COMMENT......
Mr. Salman, when is your milad????
Why don't our Muslim community use brain instead of following the Misguided ulema or grand fathers....
Biddath Mubarak to all Laddu's
Mr.Salman Bhai .u r absolutely right....
Mr. A, FYI, our community is supporting all poor people when it's required at any time and it's not limited to our festivals. Let's them enjoy their day, and don't spit venom...
Happy miladunnabi to fellow muslims...
Very unfortunate. ignorant community celebrating our beloved prophet's death day. which is Rabi Alawwal 12. In Lillahi wa inna ilahi raajioon. Ee qoum eppa sudarra?
What a moment... Jab tak hai jaan... Insha Allah jaroor manayenge eid e milad.. Thanks CD for the coverage n waiting for today's evening procession coverage.
Instead of spending huge money for uniforms , why cant you donate cloths to poor children in the remote area during the birthday of prophet mohammed ??? To whom you wants to show road rally?? why all this celeberations?? There is no birthday celeberations in Islam.
If you want to celeberate Milad, celeberate like Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha when charity is the important order from prophet these two days.
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