Jaipur/Kanpur: The Pahalgam killings have ignited protests across India. On Thursday evening, people hit streets in Jaipur and Kanpur demanding action against the perpetrators of the terrorist act with calls of “Pakistan murdabad”. Meerut, Hisar, Srinagar, Anantnag, Wasseypur, Una, among other cities also saw candlelight marches.
On the steps leading up to Amar Jawan Jyoti, a war memorial in the heart of Jaipur, a loud, candlelight protest was held for the victims of the terror attacks in Pahalgam. Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Mahila Morcha led the protests, continuously chanting slogans and holding up signs.
“We need to destroy Pakistan. Only if Prime Minister Modi steps up will this problem get resolved,” Dharamdas Motwani, a BJP member who was part of the Jaipur Nagar Nigam (municipal corporation) told ThePrint. “Otherwise in the future Hindus who want to stay in this country will have to recite the Kalma.”
One of the victims of the attack, 33-year-old Neeraj Udhwani, was born in Jaipur but resided in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. His picture was on one of the posters. Udhwani’s mother, Jyoti, lived in Model Town, a part of the Malviya Nagar constituency in Jaipur. On Thursday, his body was transported from his mother’s residence to the Jhalana crematorium.
Before the funeral, Dr. Soumya Gurjar (Mayor of Jaipur Nagar Nigam) and Kalicharan Saraf (member of the state legislative assembly) garlanded the body.
“This protest was organised by the constituency of Kalicharan Saraf,” said Motwani, who went on to blame the Indian National Congress. “What has Congress given us in the last 70 years? Only this, that if you recite the Kalma then you can live here.”
The crowd chanted ‘Pakistan murdabad’, ‘Dharam bachega, desh bachega’ (Save religion, save nation) and ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ in unison, as people took turns leading the slogans. A large sign in support of the victims was held up, praying to God for giving peace to their souls.
The heavy traffic and horns did nothing to dim the sound of people’s voices. At one point, two children holding sticks and a tire, briefly abandoned their game to join in the protest. ‘Aatankwadi murdabad’ (death to terrorists) they yelled.
As anger found its way in people’s voices, protestors called for strict punishment for the terrorists. ‘Hatyaaron ko goli maro, phansi do’ (Shoot the murderers, hang them) rang through the space. The protestors, mostly older women and men were soon joined by young college students, who happened to be walking past the area.
“The public is scared,” said one of the students, who had joined in with three of his friends. “The government should take big steps for the safety of its people. My appeal to the government is that they provide guidance to the public to remove the fear.”
He went on to add that he was thankful to the centre for steps they had already taken, like the abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty. His conversation was cut short when Kalicharan Saraf arrived at the protest site, prompting the crowd to gather around him.
Saraf briefly thanked the crowd for showing up, promised he would fight to bring justice to the victims and then paused for photo opportunities before leaving the site after fifteen minutes.
As the protest thinned out, many women stayed behind, lighting candles and placing them around the area. Holding a candle, one of the women with tears in her eyes, spoke to the few media professionals covering the protest.
“I appeal to the government to punish the terrorists and their home of Pakistan,” she said, wiping away a tear. “Maybe a surgical strike or air strike so after that, nothing like this happens again.”
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Trade unions, queer foundation protest
In Kanpur, a group of over two dozen queer people came together carrying candles to organise a powerful display of solidarity with the victims.
The Kanpur Queer Welfare Foundation (KQWF) in collaboration with Vishuddhi Aarogya, a mental health organisation, conducted the march near the busiest Ramadevi Chauraha of Kanpur.
“Kanpur ke veeron ko shat shat naman. Aatank ke aage jhuke nahi ye mahan (Salute to the heroes of Kanpur. These heroes did not bow down to terror),” read one of the posters. Another read: nirdoshon kr aah se kaanp utha asmaan, aatankvad ke khilaaf hai ab har hindustani (The sky trembled with the sighs of the innocent, now every Indian is against terrorism).
One of the Pahalgam victims, Shubham Dwivedi, hailed from Kanpur. Since Thursday, civil society and trade unions have organised several candlelight marches in the city. On Thursday, trade unions decided to shut their shops till afternoon as a mark of their protest.
“This is our peaceful protest against the attack in Pahalgam and we are expressing our sympathy for the 27 people who have lost their lives,” said Anuj Pandey, founder of Kanpur Queer Welfare Foundation (KQWF). He said the most unfortunate thing is people have been killed after asking their religion.
Pandey demanded that the Modi government increase security in the valley.
Udit Hinduja graduated from Batch 1 of ThePrint School of Journalism.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)