Muslim
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.
A
person holds a placard during a protest at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday. (Photo:
Bunny Smith)
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.