A protest cutting across communities: Mangaluru decries rape culture, demands justice

Mangaluru, Apr 16: Cutting across religions, communities and castes, a large number of citizens of this coastal city on Monday evening took to the streets and registered their protest against the rape culture in India.

The candle light vigil was organised by likeminded people from different communities and organisations in the wake of rape and murder of children in Kashmir’s Kathua and Gujarat’s Surath, and alleged gnag-rape of a woman in UP’s Unnao by a BJP MLA and his aides. Social activists, students, professionals among others took part in the protest. A large number of women also participated.

The silent protest continued for some time before people started raising slogans demanding that action be taken against the perpetrators of rape and those supporting the rapists in Kathua and Unnao cases.

Even though the organisers declared the end of the candle light vigil, hundreds of people continued to protest for some time to exhibit their anger against rape culture instead of vacating the place immediately. 

Rationalist Narendra Nayak, civil rights activist Vidya Dinker, preacher Muhammed Kunhi, Kusumavathi, mother of Saujanya, a college student who was raped and murdered in 2012 in Dharmasthala spoke on the occasion. The protesters sang national anthem before leaving the place.

Also Read: Missing the point: What the protesters against the Kathua rape-murder haven’t got it right?