Hyderabad citizens protest against Badaun rape case; demand ‘Never again’ action plan for safety of women

Hyderabad:On 1Oth January, Sunday, some concerned citizens gathered at Dharna Chowk, Indira Park to protest against the rape of the 50 year old Anganwadi worker in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh. They also demanded that the government should come up with an action plan that is foolproof, one that prevents atrocities against women so that Never gain can any atrocity take place against any girl or woman.

On January 3rd the rape incident of the Anganwadi worker, a mother of 5 children was raped when she had gone to the temple in Badaun city of Uttar Pradesh, by the temple priest and 2 of his aides. She was brutally assaulted which reminded the nation of the same tortuous rape and death of Nirbhaya.

What outraged the members protesting the rape were the statements issued by the member of the National commission for Women (NCW).

“Every time a Nirbhaya or a Disha happens; authorities come up with blame on women or with technological solutions such as cc TV camera or even offer women to carry pepper spray, but don’t have a ‘never again’ action plan to prevent assault on women, no action plan on how to handle the male gaze, male morals, male conduct, male thought!” said Dr Lubna Sarwath, one of the protestors.

The protest was a unique one as it was not called by any one organization or individuals – it was a call few individuals took and decided a mutual date to gather and protest. Organsiations like United Citizens Forum (UCF) joined the protest adding momentum to the protest.

The National president of UCF said, “Serious heinous crimes of Rapes, Gang Rapes and Murders in the country are going on. Kathua, Unnao, Hathras, Veterinary Doctor in Hyderabad and now the 50 years old woman from Badaun. So we want to register our protest against the Rapes, Gang Rapes and Murders of women all across our country which has shamed its citizens. The heinous crime recently happened in Badaun, UP, adding to the increasing numbers of rapes taking place in just Uttar Pradesh alone making it the rape capital of India.”

Sharifa Siddiqui, another protestor said, “It is so appalling that even after 73 years of Independence, crimes against women have not stopped.  The perpetrators get away most of the times and this culture of impunity encourages them to commit more crimes. Not only are the culprits allowed to go free but they are also rewarded.”

After some time of protesting, the police personnel arrived asking the protestors to leave citing that permission needs to be taken even for a few minutes of protest (this protest was just for an hour) even if it is without any mike or tent.

But one lone protestor, Dr Lubna held her ground, while the others folded their banners. Said Lubna, when the police insisted that she pack up too, “Can’t one person stand quietly and silently protest? I am very sad and pained at the state of affairs and want to protest on my own even if the others leave.”

The question the protestors asked was, “Rapes can happen anywhere, anytime but people should take permission to protest against it. Is it right?”

“Police insisted that we take permission to stage even a silent protest. We objected strongly as this protest was against the perpetrators who, if left un-arrested and not sent to jail, this could happen to women in any house” said Maqbool Mateen.

“Another problem Police created was about placards “ India Shamed” they refused to understand the meaning of “ India shamed “ and said you guys are saying shame on India and we are ashamed to be Indians; because only Muslims especially Muslim women have participated and they thought this slogan was anti national” he added explaining the attitude of Hyderabad police.

Shiba Minai, another activist who was present at the protest said, “ In Hong Kong people gather on weekend in large numbers to protest against anything they want to protest. They have some torch in their hands which they flash as a sign of protest and they all come with faces covered even before covid, express their protest and leave. Even in other countries that are democratic, if you see the police are on the periphery, while the people are protesting against any policy or whatever. They don’t hound the protestors like they do here in India.”

 “After hearing about the case of the woman being raped at 50, we now feel that none of us are safe anymore. We fear going out even after reaching an advanced age” shared another woman protestor.

The protestors demanded that an action plan to make laws that ensure that women and girls are safe all the times at all the places without having to fear of getting raped.