Mangaluru: Various women’s organisation organised a silent protest and candlelight vigil recently. Named “Freedom From Fear”, the protest was held in solidarity with the Hathras gang-rape victim, as well as other rape, assault, and harassment victims across the country.
Local women activists and like-minded laypeople gathered at the Lady Hill circle in a silent and peaceful protest. The protest began with all the protesters holding placards on Sunday, at 5 PM and at 6.30 PM, everyone gathered lighted candles with a silent rage against rape.
Speaking about the demonstration, a protester said that the message to everyone was to stand in solidarity, stand united, stand fearless, and speak up against injustice. The protester further said that if we don’t rise against injustice today, then the consequences for the next generation of women, Dalits and minorities will be inconceivable. “What happened in Hathras is wrong on so many levels. We will not stay home or stay silent,” they said.
Another protester expressed their joy at seeing the turnout of men and women at the venue to protest against the horrific violence meted out to the Hathras victim. “The cries of the mother when she was denied a last glimpse of her daughter still rings in my ears. The victim’s dying statement should melt even the hardest of hearts. It is our hope that justice will prevail. Our slogans ‘Shatter the silence-Stop the violence’, ‘Punish the Culprit’, ‘We want justice’ rang out as the posters screamed out at all the passers-by. The candles lit a glimmer of hope in our hearts that the culprit will face justice,” she added.
Social activist Vidya Dinker, the main organiser of the silent protest said, “Today is the day we say enough is enough. We will hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions in each instance. We have to build a society that is safe for girls and women and together, we will strive to be fearless. We stand in solidarity with the family of the Hathras rape victim and condemn the atrocities and harassment she and her family experienced. We also condemn the manner in which her body was cremated as her family was denied the right to conduct her final rites.”
