They also question the silence of the ‘so-called secular parties’ on the issue
Zafar Aafaq | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — Scores of people, mostly Muslims, on Thursday held a protest demonstration in Dehradun city in Uttarakhand against the August 08 hate rally of Hindutva groups at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
The demonstration which lasted for two hours (10AM- 12PM) was organised by Muslim Seva Sanghathan at Gandhi Park near the City Centre where protestors demanded strict legal action against those who raised genocidal hate slogans targetting Muslims at the Jantar Mantar rally.
Hundrends of People in Dehradun Uttrkhnd staged Protest demons. against Hate Rally of Hinduvta Groups at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar who raised genocidal hate slogans targetting Muslims.
https://t.co/5JJIYF5kgS@kavita_krishnan @hussainhaidry @NabiyaKhan11 @FaisalNadeemAMU pic.twitter.com/3kUee7ERg4— Nasir Khuehami (ناصر کہویہامی) (@NasirKhuehami) August 15, 2021
“A hate rally against Muslims was allowed in the heart of Delhi within two-kilometre radius of Parliament and ministries and the Supreme Court,” said 36-year-old Nayeem Qureshi, president of the Sangathan. “This is unfortunate for Indian democracy.”
He also questioned the silence of “so-called secular parties” on the issue naming Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party. “Unfortunately, they kept quiet despite so much news and outrage.”
The videos of the provocative slogans went viral on social media triggering outrage and calls for action following which Delhi Police filed a case under section 153-A and arrested six people including Supreme Court lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, the main organiser of the rally.
Upadhaya got bail within 24 hours after he was detained while the bail to three others was denied as the court said that their remarks were “scathing, undemocratic and uncalled for”. Meanwhile on Saturday, a Delhi court granted two-day (up to April 16) protection from arrest to Pinky Chaudhary, leader of a Hindutva outfit called Hindu Raksha Dal.
The protestors in Dehradun also wrote a memorandum to the President of India through local officials urging him to take note of the hate rally and “use discretionary powers to take strict action against the culprits under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) and NSA (national Security Act).”
The police presence was beefed up as the protestors shouted slogans calling on authorities to curb elements involved in spreading hate and violence against minorities.
“We will not allow those people to succeed in their evil intentions to divide India,” said Sadam, general secretary of the Sanghathan. “We will use the message of love and brotherhood to mobilize the people against hate and violence.”
Another elderly protestor, while lashing out at the BJP government at the Centre, said: “the slogan of Prime Minister Modi — Sab ka Sab ka Vikaas — have fallen flat.”
The Sangathan warned that if their demands for action are not met within two months, they “will launch a country-wide agitation and gather all the secular minded groups to gather at the parliament.”
