Press Release - 7 NOV 2008 (National Day of Action)

Press Release

07^th Nov 2008

Dear Madam/Sir,

Sub: National Day of Action against physical and sexual assault of human rights defenders by Banashankari Police

Campaign for Sexworkers and Sexual Minorities Rights and its allies across India have observed today as the National Day of Action in many cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Calicut (Kerala), Dharwad, Ramnagara, Dhoddaballapura, Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu) by holding various public actions including public rallies, public meetings, public demonstrations, candlelight protests etc.. Sexual minorities and their supporters have raised the united voice against the brutal violence by Banashankari Police.

Bengaluru also ended its week of action today through the public rally from Townhall to Bannappa Park. The rally attened by around 500 sexual minorities and human rights defenders was held from 11am to 12 noon. An overwhelming number of activists who had gathered for the rally were hijras who expressed their anger by shouted slogans against the police violence on sexual minorities and human rights defenders. Some of the slogans include “Stop sexual abuse in Police Stations”, “Dissmiss ACP H. T. Ramesh”, “Dismiss Police Inspector Shivashankaramurthi”, “Banashankari police are goonda police”, “Banashankari police – violators of human rights”, “Condemn police violence on hijras and human rights activists”, “Condemn police torture” and ” Dismiss guilty police”. The rally ended at the Bannappa Park with movement songs.

Following programs were held in diffrent cities today:

1. Delhi 11am to 1pm Public Protest in front of Karnataka Bhavan, Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri. A memorandum submitted to the resident commisisoner

2. Calicut 4pm to 6pm Public Rally from PM Taj Road to Mananchira Square, Candlelight demonstration at Kidson Corner

3. Dharwad 11am to 1pm Public Rally from Dharwad Bus Stand to District Commissioner’s Office. A memorandum submitted to the District Commissioner

4. Ramnagara 10am to 12pm Public Demonstartion at Kanakapura Busstand Circle. A memorandum submitted to the District Commissioner

5. Kumbakonam 5pm to 6pm Dharna at Gandhi Park

6. Dhoddaballapura 11am to 1pm Public Demonstartion at Kanakapura Busstand Circle. A memorandum submitted to the District Commissioner

7. Hyderabad 10am to 6pm Distribution of leaflets across twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad

The campaign is meeting soon to chalkout the future plans to pressurize the government for its demands.

For more information contact: Lakshmi-9845113792, Gurukiran-9880365692

Yours faithfully

Revathi A.

for CSMR