New Delhi: The only slogan that was heard and seen at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday was “Not in my name”. From teachers to college students to senior citizens and families with their children, people from all walks of life gathered to protest against mob lynching in India.
The “Not in my name” campaign, started by filmmaker Saba Dewan on social media after lynching of 16-year-old Junaid, is a tipping point resulting in such movements.
“The government should get the message loud and clear to know that people did not come here just to while away their time. We are here to say this is unacceptable,” said a college student, who did not wish to be identified.
Retired IIT-Kanpur professor Mohini Malik (78), who was present at the protest site along with her friends, said, “There is only grief, sadness, and anger. Demonstrations like these will sought to grow. This is just the start. We have to keep trying”.
Teenager Junaid was stabbed to death onboard a Mathura-bound train by a group of men, who targeted him and his brothers on religious grounds.
Citizens held up posters and placards and protested through poetry and music. Songs like the famous “hum dekhengey” and performances from theatre activists like Maya Rao and singers such as Rabbi Shergill strived to transfer the message.
Ms Shivani, a professor in Ambedkar University, said,” Someone’s religion and identity has been made vulnerable.”
“When our PM and the other minister have the time to tweet about every small issue, why have they chosen to remain silent with regard to this issue,” the professor asked.
Among those present at Janitor Mantar was politician and Arya Samaj scholar Swami Agnivesh who were of the opinion that the silence from the ruling party is intentional.
“Politics of hate will change. When incidents such as these get out of hand, only then will our leaders issue statements but it will be too late by then,” Swani Agnivesh said. The protesters went to great lengths to clarify that the protest was not only for the people belonging to the minority community but for citizens who have been victims of lynching.
