TV debate on 'Kiss of love' breaks down

KOCHI: The organizers of the 'Kiss of Love'- a campaign against moral policing - received twin shocks within a gap of few hours on Friday evening. The first incident took place during the shooting of Mathrubhumi News channel's talk show 'Njangalkkum Parayanund' - where a heated discussion was underway on the merits and demerits of this protest. The panellists were the representatives of political and religious organizations like the Youth Congress and Yuva Morcha.
The discussion began in earnest with almost all participants, even right wing organization representatives, declaring that they will not block the event. However, when the debate heated up, the show's host - Aparna Kurup - dared the organizers to kiss. Taking up the challenge, Rahul Pasupalan and his wife Resmi R Nair kissed each other.
This provoked right wing representatives who rushed to attack the couple. Security guards and channel employees stepped in before they could do something. The shoot was stopped for over 20 minutes. Muslim Jamaat coordination state committee leader Saifuddin Haji left the studio in a huff. "I didn't come here to witness such obscenities," he said. Yuva Morcha members wanted to erase the recordings.
When 'Kiss of Love' organizers approached the Attingal police to register a case following the studio incident, CI Anil Kumar replied that they ought to be slapped. The officer advised them to file the case online or at Shanghumugham AC's office citing jurisdiction limits. He also denied security to the youngsters even after said they have received numerous threats.