Women activists stage silent protest in Srinagar

Women’s rights activists staged a silent protest in Srinagar Thursday against the alleged deteriorating women’s rights scenario in Kashmir.

Lighting candles in broad daylight and carrying banners, over a dozen activists of the ‘Muslim Khawateen Markaz’ led by the group’s chairperson, Zamrooda Habib, staged a protest sit-in inside Pratap Park on Residency Road.

Police asked the protesters to disperse as Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code was in force in the city under which an assembly of five or more persons is deemed unlawful.

The protesters later assembled at the Press Enclave and resumed their silent protest.

Zamrooda Habib told reporters that local women must have a say in the political decision making in the state.

“Women in Kashmir are highly depressed because of violations of their rights from different quarters. Those responsible for the violations of our rights are yet to be brought to justice. It is fashionable to talk of our rights on occasions like today, but after the so-called celebrations are over, women are again forgotten and treated as second class citizens,” Zamrooda told IANS.