From Bengaluru To Mumbai: Protest spreads

Bengaluru: On the fourth day of the ongoing protest against the increasing sexual attacks against women in the state, Bengalureans from all walks of life gathered in large groups in various parts of the city and demanded action from the police. Hours before the city police could make headway with the arrest in the six-year-old girl’s rape case, citizens, activists and politically affiliated outfits had taken it to the streets to condemn the government.

Thousands of parents, including those whose kids are not studying at VIBGYOR High, gathered at Freedom Park. The agitated parents questioned the government’s ability to curb such attacks.

Angry protestors of ‘Red Brigade’, an online forum, assembled at Freedom Park to vent their ire against the police. A Red Brigate representative said, “It is shocking to see that rape incidents are increasing day-by-day. The police should immediately arrest the guilty. The arrest will increase faith in the police and the government, which has taken a beating.”

In Nagavara Junction, members of BJP Minority Morcha staged a protest demanding the resignation of Home minister K. J. George. A member said, “Incidents of sexual attacks are being reported from across the state, including Bengaluru. The state government, however, has failed to take action or curb such attacks. The Home Minister should immediately step down.”  

In yet another protest, members of Royal Indians Enfield Owners’ Club launched a campaign ‘Save Our Sisters’ and rode from Cubbon Park to Koramangala, condemning the attacks against women.

The schoolgirl’s rape has triggered protests from outraged parents, who suspect staffers’ role. The earlier incident of the rape of a 22-year-old student in a car on July 10, has added to the outpouring of public anger.

The online protest has not been confined to the state but has spread to other states, too. Besides Delhi, there has been a huge response from Maharashtra. Large numbers are joining the protest from Mumbai. A parent of Vibgyor High Malad East branch in Mumbai, extended support to the Bengaluru Vibgyor parents.  The parent said, “I am a parent of Vibgyor High Malad East, Mumbai. All of us parents here have been shaken up after this incident.  We all are with you, the parents of the Bangalore school, and we support you.”

Another Mumbai Vibgyor parent updated the Bangalore Vibgyor parents about the meeting held with the management of Vibgyor Malad East, where over 100 parents held a meeting with the principal over the security of the children. Excerpts of the meeting held in Mumbai Vibgyor Malad, shared by one of the Mumbai-based parents, San Banerjee, read: “The principal of Vibgyor Malad East’s opening statement, ‘The security of your kids in school is our responsibility,’ earned her our trust. She avoided any comment on the crime or any specific branch of the school.

“With a follow-up meeting right after the address, she signed her acknowledgement on the list of consolidated questions/suggestions, and committed to revert in 2 weeks’ time.” “We parents are forming a task force for the follow-up, a comprehensive Sexual Security monitoring system in the school, and formation of a PTA,” added a parent.