DOM protested against the release of rapists of Bilkis Banu; demanded justice

Jammu, 30.08.22: Dalit OBC Minority (DOM), a wing of All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organisations J&K held a protest here at Jammu against the release of the rapists of Bilkis Banu. 11 convicts serving life imprisonment in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case were released from Godhra jail after the Gujarat government panel approved their application for remission of sentence. The application for remission was considered due to the “completion of 14 years” in jail and other factors such as “age, nature of the crime, behaviour in prison and so on”.

Protesters raised slogans like Jammu protestors demand Justice to Bilkis Banu, Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, A rapist is a rapist, immediately revoke the release of 11 convicts rapists, in solidarity with Bilkis and her 20 year old struggle for justice, Revoke the remission and send all 11 back to prison.

RK Kalsotra, Chairperson DOM and president Confederation, said that the protest was organised to condemn the release of the rapists and various organisations and people from all walks of life joined the protest.

Kalsotra stated that even though there is a direction from the Centre that rape convicts and murderers should not be released on good conduct under any condition, the Gujarat government, violating the government’s order, has released 11 rape convicts, which is a matter of grave concern. Bilkis was brutally gangraped during the communal violence that followed the Godhra train-burning incident. She was 21 years old at the time, and five months pregnant. Seven members of her family were killed by rioters.

While there are thousands of cases wherein scholars, activists, students, professors are behind the bars and no provision of their release and in some cases the charge sheets are also not presented. There are charges of Urban Naxals, Khalistani protesters, Tukde Tukde gang against various scholars and activists and no heed is paid to their charges while the convicted rapists are released.

Kalsotra highlighted that the release of the rape convicts was celebrated by some organisations, mostly upper caste Hindus, which also accorded a warm reception to the rape convicts. This incident has shamed the entire civil society and should be opposed by all those who believe in delivery of the justice according to the law.

The protesters demanded justice from the President, Prime Minister, CM Gujarat, CJI, Human Rights Commission, National Women’s Commission, and demanded that the order should be revoked immediately to bring justice to Bilkis.

Others who spoke at the protest included Mir Sahid Saleem, Ashu Peter Mattoo, S Kuldeep Singh Giani, Ramesh Sarmal, Shashi Syal, Shafi Bajjad, Master Aslam Ch, Bashir Noon, Arun Loach, Vijay Bhagat, Ch Gulzar, S Harbans Singh, Amir-ud-din Kassana and many others