Face of 2002 riots wants ban on the use of his picture

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The man who became the face of 2002 communal riots in Gujarat with an iconic photograph of his - showing him begging for mercy - becoming ubiquitous, wants a ban on its use.

Qutubbuddin Narsuddin Ansari has written to Ahmedabad police commissioner seeking to ban media and others from using the 2002 picture, contending that some people were using it for personal gains.

In his letter of June 9 (which came to light today) Ansari has asked the city police commissioner to restrain media, NGOs and others from using the picture in magazines, websites or brochures.

"Today I am living in peace with my family. Not only that, my children are also being brought up in a very good environment," he has said.

"It hurts me when even today I see my picture with folded hands depicting my helplessness in newspapers, websites and on covers of reports of some NGOs," he said.

"I would request you (Commissioner) to please impose a ban on the use of my picture in future. And also, ask all media, websites and NGOs to remove my picture from their documents."