Demonstration in Mumbai condemning release of murderers of family of Bilkis Bano

By Harsh Thakor
A militant demonstration was held at Dadar Railway Station (East) on August 23rd, besides Hanuman Mandir, Dadar (East), Mumbai, attended by over 300 activists which is mainly consisted of women. It was organised by All India Women’s Democratic Association, Forum Against Oppression of Women, Indian Christians For Democracy, Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, National Solidarity Forum, Police Reform Watch, Vinayak Foundation, Shoshit Jan Andolan, Pani Haq Samiti. Communist Party of India and CITU activists too waved their banners.

A most qualitative protest in projecting how the iron feet of neo-fascism of Hindu variety have penetrated the judicial system and how the social order patronises crimes against the Muslim community. They recounted instances of how secular democrats were framed within prison walls. Cosmpolitan and traditionally secular spirit of Mumbai sprinkled. Rage of the protestors was reminiscent of coal fire burning, with wrath written on their faces. Heartening to witness participation from activists from various streams of the democratic movement and from various spheres of society. Such protests knit the seeds of resistance to cut the tumours of Hindu fascism.
It grossly condemned the release of 11 convicts who murdered 13 family members of Bilkis Bano which includes her 3 years old daughter and was collectively raped by all the 11 convicts. After valiantly waging a crusade for years and combating threats she finally got justice. The 11. convicts were awarded life imprisonment. On 15-08-2022 they were released on grounds of good behaviour and belonging to Brahmin caste. The right wing organization Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) played the role of conspirators, in shaping this development. As Bilkis Bano said "How can justices for any woman end like this? I trusted the highest courts in our land. I trusted the system and I was learning slowly to live with my trauma.

The release of these convicts has robbed me of my peace and shattered my faith in justice. My sorrows and my wavering faith are not for myself alone but for every women who is waging a struggle for justice in courts.Slogans like ‘Justice for Bilkis Bano', ‘Justice delay is justice denied’, ‘Solidarity with Bilkis Bano’s struggle’ , ‘For justice rearrest the 11 convicts and put them to prison' ‘Activists fighting for people’s rights are in prison’, ‘Rapists and murderers are being freed’, ‘Jai Bhim Lal Salaam’, ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ were vociferously shouted. Speakers summarised how Hindutva neo fascism has penetrated the social system at an unprecedented scale, with the very fabric of the constitution torn apart.
Heartening to witness participation from activists from various streams of the democratic movement and from various spheres of society. Such protests knit the seeds of resistance to cut the tumours of Hindu fascism.
---
Harsh Thakor is a freelance journalist who covers mass movements in India

Comments

70,000 migrants, sold on Canadian dream, face uncertain future: Canada reinvents the xenophobic wheel

By Saurav Sarkar* Bikram Singh is running out of time on his post-study work visa in Canada. Singh is one of about 70,000 migrants who were sold on the Canadian dream of eventually making the country their home but now face an uncertain future with their work permits set to expire by December 2024. They came from places like India, China, and the Philippines, and sold their land and belongings in their home countries, took out loans, or made other enormous commitments to get themselves to Canada.

Kerala government data implicates the Covid vaccines for excess deaths

By Bhaskaran Raman* On 03 Dec 2024, Mr Unnikrishnan of the Indian Express had written an article titled: “Kerala govt data busts vaccine death myth; no rise in mortality post-Covid”. It claims “no significant change in the death rate in the 35-44 age group between 2019 and 2023”. However, the claim is obviously wrong, even to a casual observer, as per the same data which the article presents, as explained below.

PM-JUGA: Support to states and gram sabhas for the FRA implementation and preparation and execution of CFR management plan

By Dr. Manohar Chauhan* (Over the period, under 275(1), Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided fund to the states for FRA implementation. Besides, some states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra allocated special fund for FRA implementation. Now PM-JUDA under “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan(DAJGUA) lunched by Prime Minister on 2nd October 2024 will not only be the major source of funding from MoTA to the States/UTs, but also will be the major support to the Gram sabha for the preparation and execution of CFR management Plan).

Operation Kagar represents Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism: Resistance continues

By Harsh Thakor Operation Kagar represents the Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism, which claims to embody the struggles and aspirations of Adivasis. Criminalized by the state, the Maoists have been portrayed as a threat, with Operation Kagar deploying strategies that jeopardize their activities. This operation weaves together economic, cultural, and political motives, allegedly with drone attacks on Adivasi homes.

How Amit Shah's statement on Ambedkar reflects frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion, empowerment

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remains the liberator and emancipator of India’s oppressed communities. However, attempts to box him between two Brahmanical political parties betray a superficial and self-serving understanding of his legacy. The statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha was highly objectionable, reflecting the frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion and empowerment.

Balod tech fest tests students’ interest in innovative ideas in the fields of science, engineering, start-ups

By Our Representative A techno fest scheduled on December 20 and 21 in Balod district of Chhattisgarh will test the innovative ideas of school students in the fields of science, engineering and start-ups. For this two-day fest organised at Maheswari Bhawan of the district, a total of 824 models made by students were initially registered. Out of those, a selection committee chose 200 models from several schools spread over five blocks of Balod. These will be on display on these two days from 10am to 4.30pm. Out of many ideas, one of the most interesting models is a smart glove which can be used by children with impairments and disabilities. For those who cannot speak at all or have speech difficulty, they can ask for help from caregivers by pressing their fingers on the glove after wearing it. This will attract attention.

Ideological assault on dargah of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti will disturb pluralistic legacy: Modi told

Counterview Desk Letter to the Prime Minister about "a matter of the utmost concern affecting our country's social fabric": *** We are a group of independent citizens who over the past few years have made efforts to improve the deteriorating communal relations in the country. It is abundantly clear that over the last decade relations between communities, particularly Hindus and Muslims, and to an extent Christians are extremely strained leaving these latter two communities in extreme anxiety and insecurity.

Defeat of martial law: Has the decisive moment for change come in South Korea?

By Steven Lee Late at night on December 3, soldiers stormed into South Korea’s National Assembly in armored vehicles and combat helicopters. Assembly staff desperately blocked their assault with fire extinguishers and barricades. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol had just declared martial law to “ eliminate ‘anti-state’ forces .”

Affable but arrogant, embodying contradictions, Raj Kapoor's legacy will endure as long as Bollywood exists

By Harsh Thakor* December 14 marks the birth centenary of Raj Kapoor, a filmmaker and visionary who revolutionized Bollywood, elevating it to new heights by exploring uncharted emotional and social territories. Kapoor wasn’t just a filmmaker; he was a storyteller who touched the souls of the masses and reflected the pulse of post-partition India with unparalleled depth. His films acted as a unifying force in a divided nation, transcending social and cultural boundaries.

Search This Blog