The gory December 16 gang-rape incident had aroused the anger of the youth and the elders alike which led to massive protests across the Capital. However, the recent incidents of molestation-rape and killing of youngsters from the North-East have somehow failed to amass the numbers in terms of protesters. While dozens of NGOs and other residents of the Capital were seen during the Nirbhaya case, none have come to the fore in the recent attacks on the ‘lesser Delhiites’.
“Be it Nirbhaya or Nido, both had died due to assault by criminals. Then why is it that in the former one there were such huge and prolonged protests whereas in the latter its only the North Easterners who are fighting for their own rights in the Capital,” said Munlin, a student of Campus law College and a member of the institute’s N-E Cell. Even as two more Manipuri boys were attacked in the city making it the fourth incident against North-Easterners in a span of just two weeks, the public does not seem to have made the connect with their issues. Ironically, they are the same people who didn’t mind being lathicharged or arrested in a backdrop where policemen had even shot water cannons and tear gas at them, she added.
However, the youth from the Seven Sister States of the country are at least satisfied to be at the receiving end of constant support. “There are almost no NGOs who have protested with us, barring a few which are meant for those from the North East only. But at least students and various students’ unions are supporting us. BJP inclined Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the ruling party in Delhi University and Congress’ National Students’ Union of India is helping us out,” said Debarun Barua, Secretary of North-East Cell, Delhi University.
The NGOs, however, have an explanation to give which is the quantum of crime committed. Yet, they still seem to overlook that in both the cases, be it Nido Tania or Nirbhaya, death was the only result. “We condemn what is happening against the North-Eastern youths. But we must observe that the December 16 gang-rape case was a brutal and savage one. It was horrific and beyond imagination. Moreover, it was taken up at length by the media, unlike this case,” explained Raj Kachroo, Secretary of Delhi Human Rights Foundation.