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:
Swami Agnivesh brutally assaulted by BJP Yuva morcha goons in BJP ruled Jharkhand on the day the SC delivered a tough judgement against mob vigilantism. This is the contempt that the BJP has for the rule of law & the SC! https://t.co/AZi2JxYA4E
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) July 17, 2018
Strongly condemn the murderous attack on Swami Agnivesh in BJP ruling state Jharkhand by BJP goons. These state sponsored BJP gundas don’t have any fear of law. Culprits must be punished. BJP should apologise for this shameful & gruesome act. pic.twitter.com/3lJy0UOizr
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) July 17, 2018
BJP goons openly flout the Supreme Court verdict on punishing ‘Violence by Mobocracy’.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 17, 2018
Horrific, gruesome & murderous attack on Swami Agnivesh at Jharkhand today is a painful reminder that ‘Lynch Mob Mentality’ rules with abetment of BJP Govt.https://t.co/bKgOazjF8B