In a great display of unity against unbridled series of rapes and other crimes against women in India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh more than 400 people of various denominations protested outside the Indian High Commission. Protesters included British Dalit organisations, women rights organisations, writers, poets and filmmakers.
Outraged South Asians protest outside Indian High Commission in London and later a joint letter signed by the representatives of 17 different organisations and addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also handed to IHC London.
Representatives of groups such as the Freedom Without Fear Platform, South Asia Solidarity Group and Caste Watch UK also delivered a letter addressed to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for justice.
“These rapes and murders are taking place with the collusion of the police as recently highlighted by the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women. In many cases the police themselves are the perpetrators,” the letter said.
Sarbjit Johal of the Freedom Without Fear Platform, which had called the protest demo, said: “While we are aware that sexual violence against Dalit and oppressed caste women and girls is widespread all over India and has been going on for a long time, the eviction and sexual assault on the Bhagana survivors and their families confirms our fears that things are getting worse not better.”
The demonstration was organised in the wake of the gang-rape and lynching of two Dalit girls aged 14 and 15 in Badaun last month and the rape of four teenage Dalit girls in Bhagana in March.