Why Shobhakka (Shobha Karandlage) / Kateelanna (Nalin Kumar Kateel) /Sadanandanna (D V Sadanand) Numb over three Kids Rapes that have taken place recently in India -Harish Kumar- Dist President DK Congress committee
Mangaluru: Following close on its heels, after a sea of youth, adults, social activists, priests/nuns, religious leaders and other concerned citizens gathered near DC’s office here on Monday April 16 to participate in the candlelight vigil held to condemn the incidents of rape and other crimes against women happening in the Nation, especially the rape and murder in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir, Unnao in Uttar Pradesh and Surat in Gujarat cases, today, 18 April was the turn of the members of Congress Minority Wing of Coastal Zone and DCC-where they also held a candlelight vigil in the Park, opposite to Town Hall, Mangaluru- and protested against the masters who raped the three innocent children in Kathua, Unnao and Surat.
Prior to the candlelight vigil, the main leaders of the Wing garlanded the statues of Dr Ambedkar, located in the Town Hall compound, and then that of Mahatma Gandhi located in the park. Taking a dig at Members of Parliament Shobha Karandlaje and Nalin Kumar Kateel; and Union Minister D V Sadananda for maintaining silence over the rape incidents in Kathua, Unnao, and Surat, Harish- Dist President, DK Congress committee challenged the BJP leaders to condemn the incidents publicly.
Harish Kumar said, “Shobhakka {Shobha Karandlaje}, Kateelanna {Nalin Kumar Kateel} and Sadanandanna {D V Sadanand} speak a lot whenever there are incidents of violence. Why are they silent now when these three kids are raped, and tortured. When animals, for that matter, the Sacred animal is slaughtered, the BJP and and their Saffron supporters are quick to raise their voices and create a ruckus. But when these innocent three children are tortured none of these three BJP leaders had the courtesy to come forward and speak”.
“All the three incidents have happened in the states where BJP is in power. In a matter of fact, BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar is also named accused in Unnao case. It’s time, Karandlaje questions her party legislator. It’s time she raises her voice for women’s cause and condemns the atrocities against women. BJP is responsible for these three incidents. While I speak in front of Mahatma Gandhiji’s statue, who fought for justice through truth, but here we have the leaders in the BJP government leading the nation with all lies and committing all these crimes. We will not stop here, instead, we will continue our protest further until justice is served”
Also speaking during the Vigil, Congress leader and Former MUDA Chairman Ibrahim Kodijal said, “The rape and torture of these three innocent children in Kathua, Unnao and Surat is indeed a shameful act and a blemish on our country. We should not be silent about it anymore and stand against it. Our BJP leaders are quick to raise their voices when animals are killed, but when human beings are killed, they remain silent. Our country is famous and respected globally for its culture, tradition and values. But recently our nation has been recognized for rapes and murders, which is no doubt a tragedy and a shame for citizens like us. It is horrifying to see how these rapists are being shielded by some holding the national flag. We should persistently protest and get these rapists strict punishment and make the law even stricter. We should fight until justice is served”
Placards like -” Beti Bachao from Whom?”; No More shielding of Rapists”; “Is Rape Culture Our Nation’s Culture?”, were some among the many placards that were held by the protesters during the vigil. An oath was also taken during the candlelight vigil towards protection of women and girls from rape, harassment, assault- and everyone repeated the words of oath. U B Saleem, TM Shaheed, of the Wing were among others who also spoke on the occasion.