Protests with thousands of people were taken out in Hassan as the constituency’s now-arrested MP Prajwal Revanna, accused of rape and other sex crimes, returned from Germany. Demanding his arrest, about 113 organisations protested under the umbrella of the Federation of Karnataka State People’s Movements.
Tagged the #HassanChalo march, it featured the banner ‘Namma Nadege, Hassana Kadega’ (Our march towards Hassan). The rally witnessed a wide scale participation of citizens, artists, activists, and intellectuals. People from neighbouring districts such as Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangeluru, Ballari, and Chikkamagaluru also participated in the march. The march was joined by various civil society groups working on human rights, minorities, gender, Dalits etc. Amidst demands for strong actions against the perpetrators, the leaders in the rally also demanded that those who had distributed the pen drives with videos reportedly made by Revanna should be also arrested for “putting to auction women’s honour.”
Hundreds of women from all over the #Karnataka state, along with activists participated in the massive #HassanChalo Protest Rally in Hassan, against rape-accused #Hassan MP #PrajwalRevanna, demanding his arrest and justice for the women whom he allegedly assaulted and filmed. pic.twitter.com/NMmESGdovt
— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) May 30, 2024
#Karnataka: The ‘Hassan Chalo’ march is to begin from Maharaja Park to Old Taluka office.
A number of organisations have gathered in #Hassan that includes women, farmers, students, gender minorities, writers, intellectuals, artists, and retired government officers to protest… pic.twitter.com/TWJ0PsMkjR
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) May 30, 2024
South First reported Subhashini Ali, former MP from CPI (M) and All India Democratic Women’s Association vice-president, demanding for ‘no bail, only jail. Ali also highlighted how victims are being intimidated in the aftermath of the news hitting the light, “The power play here has been created to abuse and scare women and deny justice to them. We and the citizens of the country has to break this alliance of patriarchy, feudalism, sexual abuse and political power.”
The protests blocked the main road after the DC Sathyabhama failed to turn up to collect the memorandum by the protestors. However, after they blocked the main road and launched a protest outside Hassan DC office, Hassan ADC KT Shantala turned up to collect their memorandum.
Some of the issues that the protestors have included are demands for the protection of victims exploited by Revanna, recognition that their privacy, safety and dignity was violated. Secondly, they demanded that steps be taken to find and destroy all related media. Along with that, they demanded the cancellation of Prajwal Revanna’s diplomatic passport and criticised the central government for its inaction and political interference. The protest also called for an impartial investigation to take place that treats the victims with sensitivity.
The Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna was been found accused of grievous crimes, including rape, sexual harassment, outraging modesty after graphic and even violent videos of him sexually harassing women went viral in the constituency. An SIT was formed for investigation in the case which reportedly has almost 3000 women who are victims. A day before his return to India on May 30, Revanna who fled to Germany just shortly after the accusations flared on April 26, had filed for anticipatory bail on May 29. This was filed shortly after two of the prime accused who had distributed the pen drives were arrested by the police. As of now, Revanna’s father and JD(S) leader and MLA HD Revanna has also been released on bail despite being accused of kidnapping and intimidating a victim. He has also, like his son, been accused of sexual harassment
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