Bhubaneswar: A significant number of women gathered in Bhubaneswar to stage a peaceful protest against the heinous atrocities perpetrated against women in various parts of West Bengal, including Sandeshkhali. Armed with placards and a resolute determination, these women took to the streets on July 5 to condemn the Trinamool Congress government’s inaction and demand justice for the victims. Their collective voice resonated through the city, seeking an end to the violence and discrimination that has plagued the state. They demanded security for the women in the state. This protest and dharna program was organised by Samartha, a social organization working in the field of women’s respect and leadership development among women.
A delegation of Samartha met the Additional District Magistrate, Bhubaneswar and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Union Home Minister demanding to ensure women’s safety in West Bengal.
Addressing the dharna and protest meeting organized in front of Raj Bhavan on July 5, Senior activist of ‘Samartha’ Aarti Baishakh said , atrocities against women is constantly increasing in West Bengal. It’s deeply disheartening to witness the dignity of women being systematically eroded, particularly in a state where the ruling Trinamool Congress government came to power on the promise of empowering ‘Maa, Mati, and Manush’ (Mother, Earth, and People). Not only this, the civilized society is disturbed by the horrifying incidents of atrocities on women that are coming to light from various parts of West Bengal. Recently, incidents of harassment of women have come to light in Sandeshkhali, Cooch Behar and Dinajpur in West Bengal and they are being condemned all around. It seems that there is no democracy in West Bengal but the state is under Taliban rule.
That is why we are staging this dharna today to demand safety for the women of Bengal. We demand that the women of Bengal should be provided security. Also, strict action should be taken against those who commit inhuman atrocities on women
After the protest, a delegation led by Aarti Baishakh, Latika Padhy, Aarti Jena, Jyotirmoyee Sahu and Sanuja Meghmala met the Additional District Magistrate and submitted a memorandum in this regard.
