Hyderabad: Protest decries crimes against women

Hyderabad: Members of the United Citizens' Forum (UCF) on Sunday staged a protest at Indira Park demanding a 'never again' action plan to prevent assault on women, citing the recent gang-rape and death of a 50-year-old Anganwadi worker in Badaun (UP).

Soon after the UCF activists reached the site, the police arrived and called a halt to the dharna, even though the protest continued by a member, Lubna Sarwath, holding placards with slogans "India shamed." "Authorities come up with blame on women or with technological solutions such as CCTV camera or even offer women to carry pepper spray, but don't have a 'never again' action plan to prevent assault on women. No action plan on how to handle the male gaze, male morals, male conduct, male thought!" she said.

Maqbool Ahmed Mateen, national president of the forum said, the police used their power to stop the protest "which is to display our displeasure towards governance. We will hold a protest soon. We have been peacefully protesting against rapes. The government itself has been protecting the perpetrators."

Speaking to The Hans India, Shiba Minai, a representative of the forum, criticised the police for not permitting a single woman to protest. 'They asked us to take official permission. We have to develop a culture of peaceful protest and take the initiative to spread awareness about the rape culture in the country.