After Latest Lynching, Minority Rights Award Winner Returns Honour

I hope this act of mine gives courage to people, that there is at least somebody who is raising their voice.

Social activist Shabnam Hashmi returning her National Minority Rights Award to the National Minority Commission on Tuesday.

(Photo: The Quint)

Muslims had complete faith in the secular leadership of India. It is unfortunate that it failed the Muslims. The Muslim community now feels the need to stand up as the majority has remained silent.

Shabnam Hashmi, Social activist

Is award waapsi back?

After the latest case of 16-year-old Junaid being lynched to death, social activist Shabnam Hashmi returned her award as she said, “The National Commission for Minorities and the government has failed to provide even a semblance of dignity and security to the minority communities.”

Shabnam Hashmi holding her National Minority Rights Award.

Hashmi returned her award to the National Minorities Commission on Tuesday, being the first to return a National Minority Rights Award.

She says the commission should have taken suo moto action against each and every incident.

Awarded in 2008, Hashmi says she is 100% sure that majority of Indians do not support the kind of lynchings that are taking place.

They are not a party to this. So at some point when they decide that this is crossing the limit, they will get up and defeat the forces of fascism and anarchy.

Hashmi said there is a large network of secular organisations across India, some are speaking out and some are not. There is an atmosphere of fear as more are remaining silent.

I am going to connect with these secular organisations across the country. I am hopeful more people will return awards.

The Chairman of the National Minorities Commision wasn’t present at the time and hence the award was returned to the commission’s director.

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