TCN News - TwoCircles.net

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

New Delhi: A mob, purportedly workers of right-wing BJP, attacked the members of the JAVAB (Janvadi Vichar Andolan Bharat) today in Raebareli, the constituency of Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Around 12.30 PM on April 28 as Shabnam Hashmi, Pratap Singh Negi and their associates were distributing leaflets brought out by JAVAB that brings out the ‘realities’ of development in Gujarat and highlights the plight of minorities and dalits there. Barely 100 metres from the Gadaganj Police Station in Raebareli, they were attacked by a mob of around 20 people who snatched all the JAVAB leaflets while pushing and abusing Shabnam Hashmi, and allegedly also used “most foul and sexist terms.”

At the police station Shabnam had to argue with the SHO, telling him that no one can be stopped from exercising their right to free expression and that he had to file an FIR against the attack on her and the threats of rape and sexist abuses. The SHO did not register an FIR and did not give her a copy of her complaint.

In a press-statement, ANHAD has condemned the attack and demanded actions.

Hashmi said that the coercive tactics of the BJP must not be allowed by the local administration.

Janvadi Vichar Andolan, Bharat’ (JAVAB) is a 'secular platform' of activists, academics, artists, writers and social workers, who came together in February, 2014 ‘ with the “twin agendas of countering communal forces and advocating for a truly inclusive society, politics and economics.”