Candlelight Protest against Racism at Bangalore
Say No to Racism
Bangalore, February 25, 2014
Candlelight Protest against Racism at Bangalore on Feb 24 2014
A conference protesting against racism, 'Say No to Racism', gave a clarion call to oppose separate hostels for people from North-East proposed by the Bangalore University Management. Several leaders also felt that the State and Central schools curricula should include the history and culture of Northeast. The conference held at SCM house on Monday was attended by many activists representing communities from Northeast, human rights organisations and concerned individuals.
''The racial attacks on people hailing from Northeast, in New Delhi and other parts of 'mainland' India have been disquieting and a cause for long-standing concern,'' said Manohar Elavarthi, Joint Secretary, Praja Rajakiya Vedike. He stressed the urgent need for deeper understanding of issues concerned to demand for appropriate policies.
Praja Rajakiya Vedike, along with Student Christian Movement of India organised a seminar where students, staff of United Theological College and Assam Society of Bangalore were also present.
'NO to Racial segregation, YES to safety and equal rights', 'Recruit people from Northeast into Karnataka police', 'STOP separate hostel for Bangalore University Northeast students', 'Include Northeast history, geography and culture... in State and Central school curriculum', 'Sensitise police on racial diversity' are some of the slogans heard at the conference. Later, a Candle Light protest was held at Town Hall.
Candlelight Protest against Racism at Bangalore on Feb 24 2014
''Most of the 3-lakh Northeast people living in Karnataka do not have their names in the Electoral rolls despite staying here for many years. Helping them to get voter ids should be our priority to recognise them as citizens of India,'' said Veena S, Gen. Secretary of Praja Rajakiya Vedike.
''Northeast women face sexual harassment and all Northeast people face discrimination on the streets every day. Most Northeast people pay extra rent for the houses and face discrimination in public places and work places. This makes us live under fear all the time. To tackle this we are planning to set-up a tele helpline to support people during crisis situations,'' said Rini Ralte, hailing from Mizoram, who works as a professor in the city.
''We should organise Northeast cultural festivals and food festivals to sensitise others about Northeast and to mobilise Northeasterns into the struggle against racism,'' Raj Bharat Patta, General Secretary, Student Christian Movement of India.
Whenever a racial attack has occurred, the government has merely feigned a temporary measure to diffuse tension from the mounting pressure by the aggrieved communities and progressive organizations. There has been no consistent and systematic policy to tackle the pattern of racial attacks, which are now becoming fairly regular.
The gathering resolved to organise a larger conference on March 10, and gave a call for a major public rally on March 21, the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination, to bring racism, in its myriad forms, into the public and political discourse.
* This PR was sent to e-pao.net by Praja Rajakiya Vedike who can be contacted at prajarajakiya(at)gmail(dot)com
This Press Release was posted on February 26, 2014
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