By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
In an innovative form of protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Dehradun, women Congress workers on Friday released black balloons into the sky and burnt his effigy, drawing attention to women’s safety, rising crimes against women and the demand for justice in the Ankita Bhandari murder case.
Led by Pradesh Mahila Congress president Jyoti Rautela, the women protesters used black balloons as a symbolic expression of their anger against the BJP governments at the Centre and in Uttarakhand over what they described as the deteriorating security situation for women.
Meanwhile, Pradesh Congress president Ganesh Godiyal registered his protest by tying a black band around his arm during the Home Minister’s visit. He raised issues including the law-and-order situation, women’s safety, unemployment, alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and corruption.
Addressing the protesters, she said the people of Uttarakhand were still waiting for justice for Ankita Bhandari, whose murder had shaken the country. Raising questions over the case, she demanded an impartial investigation into all its important aspects and strict punishment for those found guilty. “Justice for Ankita is not merely a question concerning one family; it is a matter of the dignity and security of every daughter of Uttarakhand,” she said.
Meanwhile, Godiyal said the people of Uttarakhand were facing several pressing problems, but the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state were busy with political events and publicity instead of responding to public concerns.
He said the government must answer questions relating to women’s safety, unemployment, recruitment examination irregularities and corruption.
Referring to the Ankita Bhandari murder case, Godiyal said the people of the state continued to demand justice and transparent answers to all unresolved questions surrounding the case.
He also questioned the timing of the Home Minister’s public meeting on Dhanteras, pointing out that the BJP had earlier criticised a Congress rally in Delhi on November 1, arguing that political events during festivals affected traders and businesses.
Both Congress leaders said the party would continue its democratic protest until the government addressed issues concerning women’s security, justice for Ankita Bhandari and other pressing concerns of the state.