Mumbaikars join in as Congress, AAP protest against Kathua, Unnao rapes

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In the wake of Kathua rape and murder, and Unnao gangrape, Mumbaikars from different walks of life gathered to hold a protest against the incidents. Several notable personalities participated in the protest.

Sanjay Nirupam, Congress' Mumbai unit chief, who led a candlelight march at Juhu beach, attacked the Union government, stating that acting against these horrific crimes was "not the choice but the moral responsibility" of the government.

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nirupam said the PM had been silent on the two incidents for the "longest time" and he now needed to spell out clearly to the nation what he intended to do to ensure that justice was done in both cases.

Another protest, organised by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in suburban Bandra, saw actor Vicky Kaushal, documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, actor Kalki Koechlin, radio jockey Malishka Mendonsa and social activist Ruben Mascarenhas join hundreds of others to demand justice for the two victims.

AAP leader Preeti Sharma Menon later tweeted that some "BJP stooges" tried to disrupt the protest.

"The protest was marred by some BJP stooges who 1. Did not allow citizens to speak. 2. Claimed that using slogans was anti-national How is Azaadi from Balatkar anti-national? 3. Created a police scare to try and shoo the protesters away" she tweeted.

Edited by mid-day online desk, with inputs from PTI