"End Mob Lynching, Save Minorities in India" Board Seen Outside Lord's Cricket Ground

London, July 15, 2019:

A van denouncing mob lynching attacks in India was seen yesterday during the World Cup 2019 final. The van was carrying a board saying "End #Mob #Lynching, Save #Minorities In India" was seen outside the historic Lord's cricket ground during the high-octane final match that was being played between hosts England and the dark horses of the tournament, New Zealand.

While Eoin Morgan and Kane Williamson were marshalling their troops and battle was being fought within the Lord's stadium by the gladiators of cricket, the unknown person driving the van was fighting hate, xenophobia, and bigotry in his own way.

Minorities have come under attack in various parts of India (including Barpeta in Assam), which is a matter of great concern for these people who already feel marginalized.

Recently in Assam, a 24-years-old man Tabrez Ansari was seen pleading for his life, with blood and tears streaming down his face. His attackers forced him to repeatedly chant “Jai Shri Ram”, which translates from Hindi to “hail Lord Ram” or “victory to Lord Ram”. Ansari is not the only one to have been singled out in this manner.

The last few months have not been too kind for Indian Muslims either, because they have been repeated targeted in such mob attacks.

In Barpeta district located in the Northeastern state of Assam, a group of young Muslim men were assaulted and then made to chant slogans like “Jai Shri Ram”, “Bharat Mata ki Jai” (long live Mother India) and “Pakistan Murdabad” (death to Pakistan).

While in the eastern city of Kolkata, Sahrukh Haldar, a 26-year-old Muslim teacher at a Madrassa (religious seminary), was heckled while travelling on a train by a group of men chanting “Jai Shri Ram” raising alarm in the state.

Inside Northeast’s Campaign #LetsSaveDeeporBeel is now supported by Oil India Limited (OIL). Join us as we continue the awareness campaign to preserve the only Ramsar site in Assam which is facing immense threats (A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention). We need your help to preserve this site of great ecological importance. Join the #LetsSaveDeeporBeel campaign and tweet about it, and do tag us on Twitter. Let’s make some noise!