‘Stop Harassment of Women’ Warn SDM Law College Students in response to Thota Bengre Rape Case
Mangaluru: Even though the Mangaluru police were quick enough in arresting six culprits, who happen to be local fishermen, for allegedly raping a woman labourer at Thota Bengre beach in Mangaluru few days, but this has not stopped many organizations, politicians raising their voices against this brutal rape on an innocent girl, even few of them asking the local lawyers not to support the culprits. In communally sensitive Mangaluru, questions were raised whether this incident was a case of moral policing by the locals who were unhappy that a man and woman from different faiths had gone to the beach together. However, police commissioner TR Suresh, taking a keen interest on this case has confirmed that the incident had no communal link to it and that the couple were both from the same community.
With a touch of anger and frustration as issues of harassment and sexual abuse of women have come to the fore, including the recent rape incident in Thota Bengre, now the students of SDM Law College have come forward to raise their voice against this rape case, during a protest held at their college campus on Friday, 30 November. Law student Mufeeda addressing the protesting students said,” It’s indeed a shame that a peace-loving city like Mangaluru has been haunted by such incidents of rape and harassment on innocent women. With the continuous incidents like the one that took place in Thota Bengre where seven men gang-raped a young woman, makes us nervous to walk on the street of Mangaluru or even visit beaches or parks in Mangaluru. We the students condemn this brutal rape act and urge the law enforcement authorities and government to take stringent action on these rapists, and give them the maximum punishment they deserve for their heinous act. Our laws should be like the Arab countries, where the culprits are punished to the maximum, even hanged or imprisoned for lifetime”.
Student Union Leader, Jithin Jijo said, “Like our student said it is risky to walk alone for a woman on the streets or a park or beach side, therefore we urge the government and police to take strict action on those who commit rape or harass women. The brutal act committed by the seven cruel men is condemned by the law students, and we will fight until justice is served to the innocent victim. There are quite a few Souharda programmes organized in Mangaluru to create awareness about peace and harmony in the society, but when such cruel incidents occur it is a shame for this peaceful loving City. We urge that police protection should be given in the Thota Bengre area where lot of tourists visit, probably open a police outpost there, and also install CCTV to catch the culprits quickly. We will continue our efforts until justice is served to the victim”.
After the protest, a memorandum was submitted to the police commissioner T R Suresh, by the SDM Law College Student Union. Speaking to Team Mangalorean, few students said that even though the exams are going on, as a support and respect to the innocent victim, the students will wear black bands on their arms and appear for the exams. Student Coordinators Jayesh, Sinan, Faraz, Thaju and Souhadh were among the protesters who raised their voices this rape incident in Thota Bengre.
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