Bilkis Bano case: Protestors demand arrest of convicts, after they seek time to surrender before SC
Bengaluru: A group of protestors gathered in the city’s freedom park on Thursday, expressing solidarity with the Supreme Court order and demanding immediate arrest of all 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano rape case. The demonstrators also urged that the SC must decline the convicts' appeal for an extension for the surrender deadline.
The Supreme Court on January 08 (Monday) canceled Gujarat government’s order of granting early release to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case and ordered all the 11 men to surrender to jail authorities within two weeks. However, the convicts appealed before the apex court seeking extension of deadline to surrender citing reasons such as son’s marriage, leg surgery, sole caretaker of parents and others.
Several protestors from different parts of the city participated, calling out slogans in support of Bilkis. “People propagate the idea that women should move ahead in society, however that never happened. Parents are fearing to send their children to school/colleges. The government should ensure that girls feel safe in the country. We demand the immediate arrest of all the 11 convicts, that is why we are demonstrating today,” said a protestor.
Another protestor Vi alias Vandar Kolali, said, “This protest is in solidarity to the SC judgment.” Kolali further condemned Gujarat Government’s release of convicts and the alleged celebration of their release. He remarked, ‘people celebrated the release of convicts, which is so wrong about our country’s current situation, where we openly celebrate the release of criminals walking free. Meantime, the Supreme Court Judgement is a victory for Bilkis and the case and we are all here standing for Bilkis.”
Aysha, a college student participating in the protest, expressed, “The government should not tolerate such crimes and take stringent action on crimes against women.”
Activists from 'Navu Yeddu Niladidare' Madhu Gosh (left), Jaya (Right)
Madhu Bhushan from ‘Navu Yeddu Niladidare campaign,’ noted, “According to media reports some of the convicts are requesting a time of six months to surrender, in six months anything could happen. The remission by the Gujarat Government was fraudulent. Bilkis Bano is still living in fear, she has still not come out in public, she has moved hundreds of houses. While these men are happily roaming around in their houses, what about Bilkis? Does she not deserve to live with freedom and security?”
Condemning convicts being felicitated by RSS activists, Madhu added, “The Government should have initiated action against it, what is the message that the government is trying to give ? This speaks clearly about the politics of this government which has allowed the garlanding and felicitation of the convicts,” she added.
Emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable and minority sections of society, Madhu Bhushan expressed displeasure with the religious politics prevailing in the current scenario.
Meanwhile, 77 year old Rosemary, remarked that “Justice is unequal, while some get justice some don't.” The protests were organized by under the ‘Navu Yeddu Niladidare’ campiagn, with more than 100 protestors gathering at the freedom park.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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