New Delhi: A Facebook post by a filmmaker against the lynching of a Muslim teenager has spawned a powerful online campaign, leading to protest marches being held in five cities across the world, including Delhi, Kolkata, Boston, and London.
Thousands have pledged to hit the streets this week in support of the campaign, “Not In My Name”. Citizen protests will be held in different cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru on Wednesday. The complete list of the venues is as follows:
Delhi: Jantar Mantar
Kolkata: Dakhinapan premises, next to Madhusudhan Mancha, Dhakuria
Hyderabad: Tank Bund
Thiruvananthapuram: The Secretariat Junction
Bengaluru: Bangalore Town Hall
Mumbai: Promenade, Carter Road
Pune: Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Statue, near Pune Station
Boston: Harvard Square
Chennai: Gandhi Statue on Marina Beach
London: SOAS University of London on Thornhaugh Street
Chandigarh: Sector 17
Toronto: 356 Bloor Street East (Sherborne and Bloor)
Karachi: Outside Karachi Press Club
Lucknow: Gandhi Park, GPO
Patna: Outside Kargil Chowk
“I never realised the response would be so overwhelming. Despite the debilitating violence, these protests will make us feel we are alive and spark hope,” Dewan told agencies.
The campaign sought to “reclaim the Constitution” and “resist the onslaught” on the right to life and equality, the Gurgaon-based documentary filmmaker said.
The protest in Delhi will be held at the Jantar Mantar at around 6 PM. The family of 17-year-old Junaid - killed by a mob when he was on his way home to Ballabhgarh after shopping for Eid in Delhi - will also be invited to join the demonstration, Dewan said.
An image designed by graphic artist Orijit Sen featuring blood-stained chappals, a metal rod and the message "Not In My Name" is being shared by hundreds on social media sites along with an appeal to join the protest.
“Please carry banners with the slogan - NOT IN MY NAME. This is a citizens' protest open to all. Everyone is welcome but without party or organisational banners,” the invite reads.
It all started on June 24 with Dewan’s post calling for protests against the spate of lynchings that have taken place in different parts of the country in recent weeks, the latest being the murderous attack on Junaid on June 22.
“If not now, then when? Why wait for political formations to organise a demonstration? Why can’t all of us as citizens repulsed by the violence get together in protest at the earliest next week at Jantar Mantar under the banner - Not in my Name,” it said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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