Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)

Mangalore, Jul 19: Condemning the recent incidents of atrocities and sexual assaults on women and minors in the state, the Tulunada Rakshana Vedike has called for a district bandh on Tuesday July 22.

Yogish Shetty, Jeppu, president of Tulunada Rakshana Vedike, who gave the call for the bandh, requested the public and the student bodies to support them, on Saturday July 19, at Press Club, Mangalore.

M G Hegde, advisor of the Vedike said, “Today it is shameful that parents are hesitating to send their children to school. The political parties and the legislators of the state are blaming each other. I question the district administration of Dakshina Kannada as to what actions have been taken by them to create awareness in this regard. In many schools, the parent-teacher meetings are not happening. So, how will the parents come to know who the person responsible for dropping off the children to their homes is?”

“I request the lawyers and the family of the accused in the rape cases of minors, not to support them. Let them get the punishment and let this be a lesson for others not to indulge in such immoral activities. Only awareness will reduce such cases in the society,” he said.

“I request anyone who does not support the mentality of the rapists to voluntarily participate in the bandh and spread awareness. I also request the parents not to send their children to school and thus express solidarity with the child who was sexually assaulted in Bangalore,” added Shetty.

Vijaya Nayar, organizing secretary, women’s wing, said, “After hearing all the news, educated people cannot sit silently. Today, it may be someone else’s daughter, but tomorrow it may be our daughter. Hence, parents should send their daughters to self-defense classes.”

The organizers also informed that a protest will be held on Tuesday in front of the DC office at 11 am.

Ladies wing president Jyothika Jain and secretary Vinutha D’Souza were also present on the occasion.