Hardliners attack Aurat March participants in Islamabad
Islamabad witnessed ugly scenes on the Women’s Day when some people, said to have connections with the Lal Masjid hardliners, pelted stones at the Aurat March participants outside Islamabad Press Club.
On being attacked by stone-throwing men, some of the Aurat March participants also responded back in the same coin by throwing stones on the attackers.
Several people were reported injured during the clashes. Videos of the scene showed police and some marchers battling to keep in place a tent wall erected on the side of the road to protect the marchers.
When Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa members/supporters started throwing stones at #AuratAzadiMarch participants. No one was spared. Neither police officials nor us media personnels. They were also hurling abuses and vulgar phrases. #InternationalWomensDay2020 pic.twitter.com/Yl7lmer4Kw
— Qurrat ul Ain Shirazi (@annie_shirazi) March 8, 2020
Shoes of some of the attackers as well the attacked were scattered on the road after the police successfully fought off the raiders.
Peaceful #AuratAzadiMarch participants in Islamabad attacked by Red Mosque/Hafsa group pic.twitter.com/HLh0iVO4a7
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) March 8, 2020
Despite the ugly attack, the women – which formed the large majority of the Aurat March participants -continued their march toward D-Chowk.
DC Islamabad ordered registration of an FIR against the yet to be identified attackers.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the assault on the Aurat March.
“HRCP condemns the attack by miscreants on Aurat Azadi March participants in Islamabad. However, the sheer strength in numbers and firm resolve of the participants ensured that the march carried on. We stand in solidarity with the marchers & reiterate our support for their demands,” it said in a tweet.
HRCP condemns the attack by miscreants on @AuratAzadiMarch participants in Islamabad. However, the sheer strength in numbers and firm resolve of the participants ensured that the march carried on. We stand in solidarity with the marchers & reiterate our support for their demands.
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) March 8, 2020
The Aurat March, which has now become a regular Women’s Day feature, is hated by many in the country where the majority of the people are conservative.
Religious circles particularly see this feminist movement of liberal groups as a conspiracy to spread immodesty in Pakistan.
Some of the slogans the organisers and participants have coined are being taken as too offensive.
While most Aurat March participants of 2020 kept confined to chanting slogans and holding banners and placards, some artists used the occasions to celebrate art.
Powerful.#AuratAzadiMarch #AuratMarch2020 pic.twitter.com/qt18wHk16c
— M Hamza Irshad. (@muhammad_hamza9) March 8, 2020
Though Aurat March was a woman-majority event, some feminist men also came out for their support.
Cutoo uncles carrying placards of “men of quality don’t fear equality” have been the highlight of today ♥️🥰🥺#AuratAzadiMarch pic.twitter.com/S2zo5m3snE
— Areebah. (@areebxh) March 8, 2020
Haya March
In contrast to the ugly scenes created by some hardliners in Islamabad, Jamat Islami organized a peaceful “Haya March” as a counterweight to the Aurat March.
The march was participated by a good number of women who say they are embracing the restriction imposed by religion and society out of their own choice as these bars are actually for their own good.
