mangalore today

Freedom and Fraternity March in Mangaluru ’Stressing on dissent’


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 27, 2017 : The ‘Freedom and Fraternity March’ held on September 28, Thursday involved student marchers who drew attention to the fact that both those qualities are essential in any healthy society.


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The march started from Ambedkar Circle (Jyothi Circle)  and culminated at Nehru Maidan with a public meeting here. The discussions stressed on the importance of dissent in a healthy democracy.


The chief guest for this event was noted activist and speaker Kavita Krishnan. “We feel that our right to freedom of speech and expression is constantly under threat in the country due to various incidents, so we decided to carry out this march to show that we were unhappy and that our right to dissent should not be trampled upon,” said Ujjwal, another participant organiser.

 

“It is high time that the public unite to send a message of love and companionship among communities, and also show a peaceful yet firm resistance to those perpetuating violence,” said Vidya Dinker, coordinator of Citizens Forum for Mangalore Development. This first of its kind silent student-led protest march in the city overwhelming participation from citizens of Mangaluru.

 
The Freedom and Fraternity March is an initiative by various student bodies and like-minded organisations from the city of Mangaluru who feel disturbed by recent turbulent events that have occurred in the country, such as the murder of journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, or the killings  of rationalists like M M Kalaburgi and Narendra Dhabolkar.


These concerned citizens now feel compelled to show up on the streets to stand up for the ideals of our Constitution. “All marchers  binded their mouths to symbolically show that our voices are not being heard.  It was silent protest to act as a mirror to our so-far silent society.