• Several injured as a result of violence
• Politicians, civil society condemn police for using batons
• Three police officials suspended

ISLAMABAD: Despite facing barbed wires, containers and the baton charges by the police, participants of Aurat March on Wednesday managed to reach the federal capital’s most prominent destination for political and rights movements, D-Chowk.

The incident wherein the police charged protesters sparked anger among politicians and activists who condemned it along with a large number of people on mainstream media and social media.

Rights activist Farzana Bari said that there were some “planted people in police and media persons” who deliberately tried to create disturbance and unrest among the marchers so that the peaceful march would fail to achieve its targets.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah took notice of the behaviour meted out to the participants of the women’s march and summoned the inspector general of police (IGP).

He also directed the police chief to take legal action against those responsible for this mistreatment of the protesters. Resultantly, three police officials were suspended.

It is worth mentioning that the Aurat March organisers had held a rally in connection with International Women’s Day, which was supposed to start at the National Press Club (NPC) and culminate at D-Chowk.

Participants of the march started arriving at the press club at 2pm but were shocked to see that there were barbed wires placed around the venue which made it difficult to reach their destination. However, somehow they managed to reach the NPC. For the next three hours, they could not start their march as containers were placed on the route, besides a large number of officials of law enforcement agencies were present to stop the protest.

When the marcher started their protest, the on-duty police officials tried to stop them. The police suddenly unleashed baton-charge on the protesters. Later, it was revealed that one of the marchers allegedly slapped a police officer after an exchange of heated words.

In response to the police violence, Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman reached the spot and participants of the march requested her to speak to the police so that the containers would be removed.

Ms Rehman assured them that she would speak to the administration to allow the marchers to access the D-Chowk.

In the meantime, a number of social media influencers reached the venue and as every one of them was trying to get a quote from Ms Rehman, the situation turned ugly. The vloggers not only scuffled with each other but also with the participants of the march.

Subsequently, the police removed one of the containers and marchers managed to reach the D-Chowk to record their protest against the patriarchal violence. A play was also organised highlighting the plight of women. Participants were carrying banners and placards on which slogans were written in favour of women and transgender people.

Ms Bari, while talking to Dawn, said that there were some “planted people” both in law enforcement agencies and media who wanted to derail the march. Police were deployed for the security of marchers but it was unfortunate that when “media persons” were beating the marchers the police officials refused to interfere, she said.

“There was a plan that marchers should not be allowed to reach NPC and if they would manage to reach there, they should not be allowed to go to D-Chowk. Because of the clash two transgender persons, a few media persons, and other participants were injured,” she said, adding that she also received minor injuries.

Calls for probe

The high-handedness of the police drew criticism from all segments of society. Senator Sherry Rehman condemned the Islamabad Police for using violence against the Aurat March. “This incident must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable. It is a shame that such actions took place on International Women’s Day, and it is not what we fought for. I condemn this act of violence and have already requested an inquiry into the matter. Furthermore, I have informed the Interior Minister about the situation, and we will not tolerate such behaviour in the future,” she said in a statement.

“Women who hold positions of power today owe a debt of gratitude to trailblazers like Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, whose sacrifices paved the way for us to enter the political mainstream and effect change. But the fight for gender equality is far from over, with the UN Chief warning that it may take as long as 300 years to achieve. However, we cannot afford to wait decades or even years to act. Each of us must do our part, both professionally and personally, to bring us closer to the goal of women’s equality,” she said.

She said that every day was a battle for women, but it was heartening to witness women from all political affiliations in parliament standing united against misogynistic and sexist remarks.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2023