MYSURU: Calling suppression of
women in India a historical phenomenon, writer and Dalit activist
Devanooru Mahadeva on Thursday said, “Women in India have always been suppressed. It is high time they raised their voice and extended their support to campaigns that aim at saving democracy.”
Mahadeva, who participated in a nationwide women’s rally for peace and saving the Constitution, organised by various women’s forums in Mysuru, said, “Women are considered guardians of our homes. They should now take part in campaigns to save democracy. This campaign, ‘Baatein Aman Ki’ should travel to other states to raise awareness.”
Social activist
Shabnam Hashmi of ANHAD Organisation (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy) called for the ‘Save Democracy’ campaigns to be held till the Lok Sabha elections of 2019 lest the
BJP return to power. “Earlier, women were generally part of campaigns to end gender discrimination. For the first time in India’s history, women are participating in a campaign to save the Constitution, democracy and rights,” said Shabnam.
Shabnam said that ‘Baatein Aman Ki’ would be a vehicle that would pose fundamental questions about harmony, peace and the right to choose. “In our country, a goon cannot tell us what to wear, what to eat and whom a girl or boy should choose as a partner. The younger generation is under threat by
RSS, and other Hindutva organisations. Under the BJP, violence has spiked and a series of gangrapes have been reported. These organisations want to instill fear among citizens, and are making videos of
lynching and circulating them on social media. Many human rights activists are being detained, and being called ‘Urban Naxalites’. It is sad that India has ticked more than half the boxes for becoming a Fascist nation,” said Shabnam.
More than 20 activists from kerala participated in the campaign. Sumitra Bai, Prof. Preethi Shrimandarkumar, Kavitha from Odanadi and activists of RLHP were among those who participated in the rally.
