Candle March Protests in Bihar against Sexual Violence
PROTESTING against the loot and sexual violence rampant in shelter homes at Muzaffarpur and other places in Bihar as well as other BJP-ruled States in the country, Left parties organized candle marches across Bihar holding those at the top (Nitish Kumar and Modi) responsible for the situation. The protest received support and participation in urban areas as well as rural areas and villages. Women participated in large numbers and raised their voices against the sexual violence and demanded justice for the victims. The leaders and activists at the protests said that the killing of 2 girls at the Patna shelter home has enraged even those who had so far harboured some hope of justice from the government. The top leadership of the government must be held accountable for this; punishing a few officials or ministers will not suffice.
In Patna Left parties held a candle march from GPO Golambar through the city to Buddha Smriti Park. Leaders and activists from CPI(ML), CPI, CPI(M), Forward Bloc and SUCI(C) addressed the meeting. AIPWA and other women’s organizations participated prominently in the march. AIPWA General Secretary Meena Tiwari said that we shall be celebrating Independence Day tomorrow but what independence is there for the girls in the shelter homes who are being subjected to such horrifying atrocities? Today the weaker sections of society, minorities, women, students, youth and women are living in the shadow of fear in the country. Candle marches were also held in all districts of Bihar where people demanded action against Brajesh Thakur, Manisha Dayal and Pragya Bharati running the shelter homes, and the resignation of Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi who are accountable for the ministerial protection being given to the culprits. It was also demanded to issue an Action Taken Report. The speakers in these protests demanded that the missing girls from the Madhubani shelter home be produced and their statements recorded, and to include all the shelter homes under the purview of CBI enquiry.
The CPI(ML) has decided to organize a state-wide human chain on 28 August 2018 in protest against the sexual violence in shelter homes and the political patronage given to the culprits.
