Kolkata: The Left and the Congress jointly organised a mega rally in Kolkata on Tuesday against the gang rape of a dalit woman in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, by upper-caste men.
Both have also held state-wide protests in other districts as well on the day.
A 19-year-old dalit girl was allegedly raped at a village in Hathras by four men on September 14. After her condition deteriorated, she was referred to the Delhi’s Safdarjung hospital where she breathed her last, exactly a week back.
In Kolkata, the rally started at Esplanade and commenced at Lady Brabourne College.
Thousands of Left and Congress activists protested against the alleged gang rape at Hathras in Kolkata on Saturday too, sparking nationwide outrage.
Demanding immediate resignation of UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the Left Front and Congress held their protest rally.
Senior CPI(M) leader and politburo member Md. Salim said that the torture meted out to the victim is horrific and he shudders to even think of it. The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh should immediately resign.
“BJP claims that they are a democratic party and also that they are holding onto the sovereignty of the country. Hathras incident is an example, how much heavy price we have to pay in the name of sovereignty. The entire country should now understand what BJP actually stands for. Yogi Adityanath should immediately resign. How can someone cremate the body without the permission of the family members?” questioned Salim.
Left Front chairman and senior politburo member Biman Bose said that families of rape victims in Bengal too have been denied justice and not just Yogi Adityanath but also Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee should also open up on why she is hiding the names of the culprits in the state.
“From Kamduni to Kakdweep, several minor girls have been raped and killed in Bengal. Their families are still awaiting justice. Mamata Banerjee should also answer why there has been no justice in these cases. Despite being a woman, she supports the rapists,” argued Bose.
The senior politburo member also alleged that no matter how much the TMC leader shouts against the BJP-led central government, there is a pact between the two parties.
An effigy of Yogi Adityanath was burnt in front of Lady Brabourne College where several partymen of both the Left and the Congress chanted slogans against BJP and the ruling Trinamool.
Since October 1, several protests against the Hathras gangrape incident are taking place at Kolkata and other parts of state by civil societies as well as political parties. Bengal CM, who was also attacked by leaders in the Left and Congress’ joint rally had also held a rally against the horrific gangrape incident in UP.
