Bengaluru to protest against attack on Swami Agnivesh

Shocked over the brutal attack on Swami Agnivesh in Jharkhand recently, various civil society groups and individuals are hosting a protest rally in Town Hall, Bengaluru on Thursday.

Bengaluru, July 19: Shocked over the brutal attack on well-known social activist Swami Agnivesh by alleged supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Jharkhand recently, various civil society groups and individuals are hosting a protest rally in Town Hall, Bengaluru on Thursday.

The protest against the attack on the 78-year-old activist will start from 4 pm in the city.

"The attack on progressive thinker and activist Swami Agnivesh by communal forces is condemnable. We are inviting all those who believe in equality, peace and harmony to come together at Town Hall in Bengaluru," read a message of the organisers of the protest in Bengaluru.

The organisers of the protest like to be addressed as "like-minded people" and refused to be identified with any particular political party or ideology.

"We all believe in secular and democratic ethos of the country. We are against divisive and hate politics propagated by communal forces in the country. We are hosting the protest to raise our voice against the barbaric attack on Swami Agnivesh," said a Bengaluru-based activist who did not wish to be named.

On Tuesday, Swami Agnivesh was attacked and beaten up by suspected supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha in Jharkhand's Pakur district. The shocking incident occurred just when he stepped out of his hotel to participate in the 195th Damin Mahotsav at Littpara.

So far, 20 people have been arrested by the police for attacking the social activist.
Instead of condemning the attack in strong words, several BJP leaders have resorted to cheap politics over the incident. CP Singh, a BJP minister in Jharkhand, called Agnivesh a "fraud" and alleged that he staged the attack on himself to gain popularity.

During the attack Swami Agnivesh was severely injured and his clothes were also torn apart. Later, he was admitted to a hospital for treatment.

The social activist has demanded an inquiry into the matter and necessary punishment against the perpetrators of the hate crime.

Many prominent people of the country have condemned the attack on the well-respected social activist. They have called the attack on Agnivesh akin to "mob lynching"--a barbaric phenomenon which has raised its ugly head across the country leading to the deaths of many innocents lives.

Here are some tweets condemning the attack on Agnivesh: