Why I'm attending Not In My Name protest to speak up against lynchings
A 15-year-old boy was lynched by a mob, while three of his brothers were severely wounded while they were on a local train bound for home in North India.
Why? Because they are Muslims.
If you think their lynching is justified, you are part of the problem. And all the bystanders who watched the horrific lynching and did nothing, and all those who say nothing when people are targetted over nationalism, beef and religion are equal partners in the atrocities against their fellow citizens, taking place across the country.
“They attacked us because we were wearing skull caps. Instead of saving us, the crowd was egging the attackers on.”
If you are sitting on the fence about this and feel it is not really a big thing, or doesn't concern you, most certainly, you are living in a grand lie propogated by the government: that you are safe and so is everyone around you.
The lynchings that we read about in the news are not singular incidents, they are institutional in nature.
We have a choice to make. Hear what some of the leading voices on Twitter have to say:
Attention please. We have a humble request to mark our protest during eid prayers tomorrow. Please spread the word widely. Solidarity pic.twitter.com/aPkLUQV3Lf
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) June 25, 2017
Folks - please follow @notinmynamein for updates & news for the protests being organised. RT and share pls. Thanks https://t.co/ipHysncouI
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) June 18, 2017
I am a hindu. Hey hindutvadis, Pls stop the terrorism u do in my name. #NotInMyName #SanghParivar
— Saileena (@saileenas) June 25, 2017
#notinmyname Civil society protest at Jantar Mantar on Jun 28, Wed, 6pm to protest against the targeted lynching under @narendramodi 's govt pic.twitter.com/rCot2ITWGH
— Neha Dixit (@nehadixit123) June 25, 2017
Glad to see that people starting to react to these mindless lynchings with the blessings of the bigots.. #NotInMyName pic.twitter.com/xJANeWt2rI
— James Wilson (@jamewils) June 25, 2017
#NotInMyName It's time to speak up. pic.twitter.com/ozDvPLmuSl
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) June 24, 2017
We can't let this hatred breed. Citizens can't be lynched, pushed to the corner and left with no choice. What will stir us? Shake our conscience?
Everyday, the news wires report a citizen being killed on the suspicion of eating beef or smuggling cattle, for trying to save the dignity of a woman or cheering for another cricket team — and for being Muslim or Dalit.
If this makes you sick, angry, disgusted, emotional, or even just uncomfortable, please stand up for what is right. Please rise to protect our nation, our people who are being killed under false, hallow ideals and that too in your name and mine.
We must raise our collective voices. Only then can we put an end to this bloodbath and save humanity. Let us not delay peace any further. We have let things deteriorate because of our silence. Now is the time to speak up.
(Click here to know more about Not in My Name protest.)