BENGALURU, 26 AUG

In view of the rise in crimes against women and LGBTQI+ community in the country, progressive groups organised a candlelight vigil at Freedom Park here between 4pm and 6pm on Monday. The 100-odd protesters called for educational reforms that include sex education, the need for consent and gender inclusivity, as well as stricter laws to address sexual assault threats. They also demanded transparency and accountability from law enforcement agencies whenever sexual assaults occur.

The protesters were from organisations such as Fridays For Future Karnataka, Collective Karnataka and Coalition for Sexuality and Sexual Minority Rights.

Speaking to Salar News, Nishkala P, one of the organisers and a member of Fridays For Future, emphasised the need to address the root causes of rape culture. “This protest was launched after no one talked about the rape culture and some people are sensationalising these cases for political gains. There is so much more to why sexual assault takes place. We have come here to talk about the culprits that are left to roam freely.”

The protest also called attention to the deep-rooted issues of power and privilege in society. Placards and slogans highlighted how those in positions of authority, such as male bosses, police officers, and societal leaders, often go unchallenged, perpetuating a culture of violence and oppression.

Athika S, a member of Collective Karnataka, said: "Why do we always come out to protest if it matters to only our loved ones? It is no longer about recent cases. It is about centuries of oppression that women have gone through."

A member of All India Students' Association Karnataka, Ankita M highlighted the influence of popular culture in perpetuating rape culture. “It’s disturbing that movies showcase groping and molesting a woman in public as normal. It is because of these movies that people think it's okay to do the same in real life as well," she said. –Salar News