Citizen groups in Varanasi rally in support of Bilkis Bano

By Matters India Reporter

Varanasi, Aug 27, 2022: A powerful citizen’s movement in Varanasi has come to the streets demanding justice to Bilkis Bano, a rape survivor of the 2002 communal riots in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

The Sajha Sanskriti Manch (SSM, United Forum for Cultural Diversity), network of various social and human rights organization, has organized a series of public protests, rallies and signature campaign in various parts of the northern Indian holy city to demand repeal of the mercy given by the Gujarat High Court to the 11 rapists and murderers.

SSM, in collaboration with Joint Action Council, an organization of the Students of Banaras Hindu University and Dakhal (Initiative), a young women’s organization for the rights of women and transgenders through cultural and political interventions, organized its third public meeting August 26 at Sarnath, 10 km northeast of Varanasi.

SSM convenor Father Anand Mathew of the Indian Missionary Society, while addressing the gathering said: “We are standing in front of the Sarnath museum where the Ashoka pillar, symbol of peace and dharma is preserved. The place is significant because it is here Buddha preached his first sermon, denoting the four noble truths of dharma. And from here we appeal to the judiciary not to perpetuate injustice.”

He condemned the court verdict which he says certifies the exploitation of women and minority communities. He indicated the communal angle and appeasement of the majority community in the unjust court verdict and expressed the hope that the Supreme Court will give justice to Bilkis Bano and other suffering women and minority communities.

He also appealed for justice to Teesta Setalvad, Himanshu Kumar, Sanjeev Bhat and R.B. Sree Kumar who are jailed for their voice of dissent and standing for truth.

Jagriti Rahi, a prominent woman activist of Varanasi, explained in detail the repercussions of this cruel verdict in favor of people who gang raped Bilkis Bano, murdered her three year daughter and seven members of her family in front of her eyes during the Gujarat riots.

The artistes of Prerna Kala Manch, the theatrical wing of Vishwa Jyoti Communications, a media center of the Indian Missionary Society, sang songs of harmony, peace and love before and during the public rally in which the public too joined.

On August 21, the group had organized a similar public meeting and signature campaign in front of the gate of Banaras Hindu University as well as a rally to Ravidas Ghat, on the bank of the Ganges. Three days later, a signature campaign was held in the premises of the Vishwa Nath Temple, in the BHU campus. Students and social activists wrote and sent post cards and Inlands to the President and Chief Justice of India appealing for justice to Bilkis Bano.

Father Anand’s conferrers Fathers Joseph Neetilal, an octogenarian Gandhian popularly known as Neeti Bhai, and Praveen Joshi Kerketta along with Fransalian Father Anto Thomas attended the events as representatives of the Conference of Religious of India and the Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace.

Indu Pandey of the Joint Action Counciland Dhananjay Tripathi of Dakhal told Matters India that a series of protests will be concluded on August 30, with a rally to the district head quarters. A memorandum addressed to the President of India will be handed over to the District Magistrate along with the signatures collected from the public.