The letter was signed by economist Devaki Jain, activist Laila Tyabji, former Indian Ambassador Madhu Bhaduri and gender rights activist Kamla Bhasin
New Delhi: Amid ruckus in Parliament over alleged hate speeches made by BJP leaders and Parliamentarians against those protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act. Around 175 activists and women’s groups on Monday expressed “horror” overusing “fear of rape as a campaign message” in the Delhi elections.
In the letter mentioned the Minister of State Anurag Thakur, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, Home Minister Amit Shah and party MP Parvesh Verma of requesting their followers to target women protesting against the CAA and creating an “atmosphere of violence” in the process.
Expressing concern over the manner in which BJP leaders were allegedly encouraging “violence against women and trying to win the Delhi election”. “Is the BJP openly endangering the lives of women and children? questions the letter. This is what history will note and India will not forgive the Prime Minister. India has seen the direct result of this violent atmosphere created by members of BJP, which inspired an assailant to open fire at innocent students in Jamia on January 30, and another terrorist weaponized by the hate being spread by BJP fired at the women of Shaheen Bagh on February 1,” Letter said.
The letter also mentioned that women are familiar with the concept of rape. “Many have faced violence on our bodies, with little access to justice, despite the government’s Beti Bachao slogan Our group strongly condemn this attempt to demean our histories of pain and fear by using it for cheap, divisive electioneering,” it added.
The letter was signed by economist Devaki Jain, activist Laila Tyabji, former Indian Ambassador Madhu Bhaduri and gender rights activist Kamla Bhasin. Apart from these groups like the All India Progressive Women’s Association and National Federation of Indian Women also signed the letter.
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