[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Participants in the Aurat March, including women, men, and children, reaffirmed their opposition to patriarchy and violence against women in Lahore on March 8, International Women’s Day.
Later that day, the Aurat March Lahore organisers issued a statement on their official Twitter account in which they claimed that a small number of “YouTubers” instigated violence during the demonstration and “disrupted” the march.
“We are dismayed and angry at the violence created by YouTubers at the Lahore march. Things could have easily escalated and disrupted the March but were averted due to the timely intervention of male allies and the police. We are thankful for that — but this misbehaviour cannot go on!” read the statement. The organisers have not named the YouTubers in the tweet.
Earlier, deputy commissioner (DC) of Lahore, Rafia Haider, had refused permission to organise Aurat March in the provincial capital citing security concerns, alleged public ‘reservation’ and fear of a clash with the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) who have ‘announced a programme against the Aurat March’.
Read More: PTI workers arrested in Lahore for breaching Sec 144.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) overturned the judgement on Wednesday, allowing the organisers to stage the demonstration and arch from the NADRA office in Shimla Pahari to Faletti’s hotel as opposed to Nasir Park, as they had originally sought. The organisers and the local government also reached an agreement on eight terms and conditions, which Justice Anwaar Hussain incorporated into his ruling.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
