The city was witness to a series of protests on Friday. While All India Democratic Youth Organisation (AIDYO) and the activists of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) youth wing staged a protest against sexual assaults on girls during New Year Eve celebrations in Bengaluru, advocates boycotted court proceedings against protesting the harassment of a lawyer by the police.
A large number of students gathered at Ramaswamy Circle in the city to condemn the molestation of girls on New Year Eve in Bengaluru. Protesters shouted slogans against state government and also demanded the resignation of Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara.
Agitators raised doubts about Bengaluru being a safe city for women as the recent sexual attacks had put the spotlight on the city for all the wrong reasons. They said instead of taking measures to control crime, Home minister had made irresponsible statements.
AIDYO district secretary Chandrakala said state government must ban alcohol and curb obscenity. AIDYO leaders Ranjitha, Asiya, Sabeena and G S Seema were also present.
‘No law and order’
The activists of BJP youth wing, who gathered near Gandhi Square, expressed their concern over rise in atrocities against women and the collapse of law and order in the state. The agitators said many foreigners had been residing in Bengaluru even after their visa had expired but state government had failed to initiate any action against them.
The protesters alleged that as many as 322 rape cases and 2,160 sexual assaults had been reported in Bengaluru since 2014. BJP youth wing city unit president Gokul Govardhan and rural unit president Mahadevaswamy were also present.
