Protests and widespread condemnation against attack on young women and men by alleged activists of Hindu Jagarana Vedike in Mangalore continued in the city on Monday.
A group of women’s rights and human rights activists — representing Vimochana, Sangama, Samanata Mahila Vedike, Alternative Law Forum, Lesbit — held a demonstration in front of Town Hall demanding stringent action against the culprits.
Donna Fernandes from Vimochana said the incident needed immediate attention. “If not addressed now, this attitude towards women may spread like wildfire in society,” she said. Philomena Peris described the incident as a symbol of “Talibanisation.”
Ambrose Pinto described the incident as an attack on our culture and democracy. “This attack is against socialising, it is against everything which is human,” he added.
Sudha Seetharaman, a sociologist, asked: “Who are these people to teach women the code of conduct? They think they are cultural ambassadors which they are not.”
Demonstration
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) held a demonstration condemning increasing instances of moral policing, especially in coastal districts, after the BJP came to power in the State. Vatal Nagaraj of Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha held a demonstration against the incident before Kengal Hanumantaiya statue clad in black.
