Writers, activists urge awareness campaign to end crimes on women

Mangalore, Jan 18: The student sub-committee of Students Federation of India (SFI) and the women's unit of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) urged that all police stations in Dakshina Kannada district should have a separate toll-free telephone facility mainly for the protection of women.

At a round table conference discussing atrocities on women in coastal districts held under the aegis of SFI and DYFI, women writers, intellectuals and students resolved that all colleges in the district should form separate committees for the protection of women as per theVishaka Guidelines.

Participants also urged that the toll-free helpline should be provided at all public places including parks, beaches and college canteens for the protection of girls and boys from attacks of moral policing by fundamental groups. The meet also resolved to carry out public awareness campaigns against atrocities on women and communal violence.

Writer Chandrakala Nandavara said that in recent times, places of worship had become sources of religious differences where hatred between different communities was fostered. This animosity has risen to such an extent that people were denied houses on rent in Bangalore and coastal region on the basis of their religion and caste. Even teaching the writings of progressive writers is a tough task in classrooms, due to the increasing fundamentalism in campuses, said Chandrakala, who is a retired teacher.

She said that people from our religion were targeting other religions and trying to mislead us. The ones who are affected the most are those who are the vulnerable sections of the society, she added.

Writer H Nagaveni said that religious fundamentalism had created a polarisation in the society in a large way. “Even the Congress government is unconcerned when it comes to communal issues and crime against women. We should transform and engage ourselves in the fight for justice and protection of women,” she said.

Another speaker Jyothi Chelairu said that humanity was being bound in walls of religion and caste in Dakshina Kannada, which was considered as a district of enlightened people. It is becoming increasingly difficult to build bridges between religious communities, she expressed, adding that building relations between different communities such as Muslims and Hindus was possible only if there was cognizance of humanity.

Writer Sara Aboobakker said that the word 'love jihad' had been coined by fundamental groups to create hatred among communities.

Human rights activist Rita Noronha said, “There is a need for detailed analysis and debate on crime against women in order to find a solution for the issue.”

DYFI women's wing president Prameela presided over the conference.