The woman behind the 'Kiss of Love' campaign running scared
'Kiss of Love' campaign
BENGALURU: Is the woman behind the 'Kiss of Love' campaign running scared, forcing her to postpone the public protest against moral policing in the city, to November 30, after her Facebook page was inundated with threats of sexual violence?
Ms Rachita Tarneja, 23 refused to corroborate speculation that she was being threatened with violence, but the organizers of 'Kiss of Love' decided to break their silence against the hate messages flooding on their Facebook page.
They posted a message saying: 'We condemn the open threats of violence and sexual harassment directed against Rachita Taneja. As concerned citizens of a democracy, we are forming a new committee to organize the 'Kiss Of Love' event.
All future updates will be available on this page that we are now administering.' It is learnt that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also asked the Home Minister to be 'cautious' while taking a call on permitting to hold the event, while the BJP is mulling various options, including approaching the Governor to put a stop to the controversial "Kiss of Love," fest in the city.
"Such campaigns could lead to more atrocities on women," warned former Chief Minister, Jagadish Shettar on Friday, arguing the event was against Indian culture. Sources in the police department said that the city police were waiting for the home minister's decision on the issue.
"The top brass are looking forward for a word from the home department to give or deny permission for the event. It is said that the CM has told the Home Minister to take a call on the matter only after thinking the impact the event would have on the government. Thus, there is delay in making a decision over granting permission to the event," sources said.
"It is said that the CM is worried that allowing for such an event would draw criticism against the government, which was embarrassed due to rape in schools recently. Even Minister Umashree had written to the home minister opposing the event. Considering all this, the CM has reportedly advised the home minister to be cautious while taking a decision on the matter," sources explained.
Rubbishing the rumours that the city police have not given permission to hold the event, DCP (Central) Sandeep Patil told Deccan Chronicle that the police were reviewing the situation for the event to be held on November 30.
Meanwhile, Transport and Bengaluru in-charge minister Ramalinga Reddy joined the Kiss of Love issue on Friday by saying the event was against the Indian culture. Speaking to reporters at KPCC office, he said such events are against the morals and there were other ways to protest against moral policing.
"There are so many ways to express protest against moral policing. Activists should adopt the Gandhian way of protesting."
( Source : dc correspondent )
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