Attack on humanity, say protestors

Protests were taken out at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday against the Amarnath Yatra terror attack, which claimed the lives of seven Hindu pilgrims.

While the "Not In My Name" campaigners had come out decrying the terror attack, which they claimed should not be politicised as it was an "attack on humanity", there was another parallel protest by the campaigners from "I Stand With India", also claiming to be non-political, cried a conspiracy against Hindus claiming that the "majority community was under attack".

Walking with a 186 feet long Indian flag, a motley crew of protestors from "I Stand With India" campaign, marched to the slogans of "Shoot the traitors of India" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai". "We are not against Muslims, but Hindus are being attacked in this country. The attack was to divide our country and we want Hindus to have safe access when they visit their holy sites," said Yogendra Lakra, a lecturer from a Noida-based college.

The "Not In My Name" protest, which had spread across several parts of India against the rising incidents of mob lynching, had given the call for the protest against the Amarnath Yatra, however many in the rival camp accused the movement of being biased. Rohit Chahal from "I Stand With India" campaign said, "Where is the Award Wapsi gang? They cried over several incidents against the minority community but when Hindus are attacked nobody shows up," he said.

However, just a few metres from the "I Stand With India" brigade, stood more than 50 protestors from "Not In My Name", who had observed a silent vigil. When asked about the accusations made by the rival campaign, organiser of the "Not In My Name" campaign Bilal said: "They can call us ultra elitists but we have come in the name of humanity. This is a protest against violence, no matter whoever is the perpetrator."

While the campaigners made their statements, the two campaigns were sharply divided as they traded barbs in small circles that had gathered at the protest site. Congress leader, Shehzad Poonawalla, who had just finished a heated debate with those in the rival camp told Millennium Post, "Modi had promised an end to terror attacks after the surgical strikes. But despite intelligence inputs, this attack has taken place. What do we need next? Another surgical strike?"

With the protest finally starting to wane as the rains played spoilsport, Zaheeruddin from Mustafabad called for closure. "Everyone should have equal access to religious sites. If a Muslim visits a religious site, he should do so without fear and my Hindu brothers also deserve the same," he said.