Protesters urge PM Modi to stop hate crimes, punish culprits

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Over 150 people gathered at Freedom Park yesterday for a candlelight vigil to protest the growing number of hate crimes in India.

The vigil was organised in response to the government's inaction on the issues, leading to a climate of fear and intimidation for minority groups

. The protesters held posters and candles and demanded that the government take immediate action to stop the hate crimes.

They also called for the government to hold those responsible for the violence accountable. Vinay Sreenivasa called on the Prime Minister to resign and the Home Minister to be held accountable for the hate crimes that are happening in the country.

He also demanded that the Central government take action to restore justice.

He said, "There is an increase in hate speech and Islamaphobia and Hindutva is a threat to our country which needs to be eradicated." Radha, a domestic rights activist, spoke about the irony of the Prime Minister celebrating India's independence on August 15 while doing nothing to protect the women who live in the country.

She said that the Prime Minister will shout "Bharat Mata ki Jai" but will not take action to protect women. That is why she is protesting and demanding justice.

"We cannot be complacent just because we are safe now," said one of the protestors.

"The violence against women is happening to someone, somewhere, right now. We need to fight for our country's people, no matter who they are or where they live."

"The violence against women is spreading," said another protestor.

"Yesterday it was Manipur, today it's Haryana. We need to start fighting now before Karnataka is next. The Prime Minister has time for foreign tours and inaugurations, but he doesn't have time to put out the fire in parts of this country,” she said.

Some of the demands that were made are, criminal action must be initiated against Hindutva Right Wing organisations that have been involved in the manufacturing of hate, whose members openly flaunted weapons and indulged in arson and violence

They also demanded that the Supreme Court must take cognisance of the increased hate crimes and targeting of the Muslim community The issue of directions by the Supreme Court in the Shaheen Abdulla’s case and in the Tehseen Poonawala case must be complied with strictly.

The vigil was a powerful show of solidarity against hate and intolerance. It sent a clear message to the government that the people of India will not tolerate the continued violenc