Bhatkal: Thousands of people on Friday, 5th July, protested in Bhatkal against killing of Muslim and Dalit youths in mob lynching with the name of cow and theft.
The protest called by Bhatkal's most influential and powerful NGO Majlise Islah Wa Tanzeem recieved an excellent support from youths and senior citizens of the taluk.
The protest march against mob lynching was called after brutal murder of Tabrez Ansari in Jharkand and spate of attacks on Minorities especially Muslims in various parts of the country.
The march which began from Eidgah ground, passed through Eidgah road, National Highway 66, and Main road before culminating at Public Chabutra near old bus stand, where a memorandum was submitted to Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner Sajid Mulla which was addressed to honourable president of India.
The protesters were holding Indian tricolour and placards written with slogans against mob lynching. Some protesters equated mob lynching with terrorism and urged the government to act against the brazen act. The protesters called the lynching not only a 'blot' on secularism but also an organised effort to create a fear among Muslims in the country.
Listing out several cases in which Muslims and Dalits have been killed in the last five years in the country, the memorandum said the government must take stringent action. It should send a clear message that it does not tolerate such incidents and take tough action against those involved in such criminal acts. The memorandum also demanded maintenance of peace and religious harmony in India.
It should be noted that the public which had gathered in thousands continued to stick on with the protest even though there was a heavy rain.
Heavy police security were deployed at every corner of the venue to avoid any untoward incident. The shops and other private establishments remained closed until the protest was over.
On this occasion Tanzeem's ex general secretary Dr. Haneef Shabab, Imam and Khateeb of Bhatkal Jamia Masjid Maulana Abdul Aleem Nadvi, Idris Hoode of Udupi and others delivered powerful speeches.
President of Majlise Islah Wa Tanzeem SM Syed Ahmed Parvez led the protest. General Secretary Abdul Raqeeb MJ Nadvi, Convenor Advocate Imran Lanka, Vice president Ateequr Rahman Muniri, Ex president of Tanzeem Parvez Kashimji, Rabita Society General secretary Yunus Qazia, Federation president Imtiyaz Udyawar, Inayatullah Shabandari and many other personalities were present.
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