Mangalore: ABVP leads campaign against atrocities on women
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SS)
Mangalore, Oct 23: Students of Karnataka Polytechnic College, under the banner of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Wednesday October 23 formed a human chain at KPT circle here, in protest against the increasing number of atrocities against women. The protest was held as part of the nationwide awareness campaign 'Students walk for protection of women' launched by ABVP.
Addressing the media, Ramesh K, state secretary of ABVP, said that ABVP has been fighting for justice in the Sowjanya rape and murder case reported in Beltangady last year. "We have been fighting for justice in this case since the beginning. Last year on October 12, just two days after Sowjanya was found murdered, we organazied a protest. Other parties too joined us later," he said.
He further said, “We are not only fighting for Sowjanya but also for Akshatha (who was found dead under mysterious circumstance last month), Manipal gang-rape case and for every other woman and youth in the society who has faced atrocity.”
"Why is that Communist Party and others are talking only of Sowjanya case and not about other brutalities done against women?" he questioned.
"Through this campaign we want to create awareness and put forth our demands in front of the government, political leaders and the public with regard to safety of women," he added.
“In the state, from 2009 to 2011, there were 14,989 cases of missing women. Mysore district alone had witnessed 1,612 cases of missing women, into which no probe or enquire has been made till now. The police must take charge of these cases," they said.
The ABVP demanded fast track court to try crimes such as sexual harassment, acid attacks and any other violence against women; strict punishment for the culprits and stringent law enforcement; a separate committee with full authority to tackle rape cases; and that the identity and individuality of the victim should not be compromised.
Moreover, the protestors also demanded mobile companies to come up with a mobile application and free call services for women. Their other demands included complaint boxes in educational institutions and quick action on the complaints received; strict law against female foeticide and dowry harassment; a committee to monitor and prohibit sexually explicit posters or pictures on social networking sites, and awareness programmes in educational institutes and on public platforms on issues related to women's safety.
The ABVP members informed that rally will be organized in the coming days in Beltangady, Vittal, Puttur, Subrahmanya, Sullia, Moodbidri, Udupi, Mangalore, Madikeri and other places.
Chethan Padil, district secretary of ABVP and others were present.