‘Don’t Compare Deaths’: Voices From Amarnath #NotInMyName Vigil

On a rainy evening, around 80 people gathered at Jantar Mantar to hold a vigil for Amarnath Yatra terror attack.

On a rainy Tuesday evening in Delhi, around 80 people gathered at Jantar Mantar to hold a vigil for the victims of the 10 July Amarnath Yatra terror attack. (Photo: Aishwarya Iyer/The Quint)

On a rainy Tuesday evening in Delhi, around 80 people gathered at Jantar Mantar to hold a vigil for the victims of the 10 July Amarnath Yatra terror attack. Compared to the nationwide outpouring of the ‘Not in My Name’ protests in June, the gathering on 11 July was lackluster, but strong in their convictions.

Here are some of their voices:

‘Here to Condemn All Kinds of Violence’

Shabnam Hasmi at the ‘Not in My Name’ vigil for Amarnath Yatra victims at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday night. (Photo: The Quint) 

I’m here to condemn the terrorist attack which took place on Amarnath Yatra and to condemn all kinds of violence which takes place. I’ve been at Jantar Mantar for the last 30 years protesting against 1984,1992 and 2002. Whichever kind of violence takes place, whatever does not match with equality and justice, we will protest against that. Because we think it is very important for citizens to protest against what’s not right in the country.

Shabnam Hashmi

“We are a campaign of concerned citizens and we cannot spend our time reacting to what others say and how others define us,” Saba Dewan, one of the organisers of the protest told PTI .

We are defining ourselves and we have been consistent in our stand. Our stand is that we are against violence, we stand against hatred.

‘Come Together Against Environment of Hatred’

Mohammad Rashid Ansari (left) and Sanjay Kumar (right) at the ‘Not in My Name’ vigil for Amarnath Yatra victims at Jantar Mantar on 11 July. (Photo: The Quint) 

I came to this protest because there’s a call for humanity and brotherhood here. We should come together against the environment of hatred. 

Sanjay Kumar

‘Justice Across the Board for Every Citizen’

Karuna Nundy at the ‘Not in My Name’ vigil for Amarnath Yatra victims at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday night. (Photo: The Quint) 

Some things are quite clear. One, intelligence structure has to be robust. When it’s about life, you have to make sure that state police where the ruling part is in power provides justice. Other political parties should make sure that there is justice across the board for every single citizen. To guarantee the freedom, the life and the integrity of citizenship, that is our task today.  

Karuna Nundy

‘Hatred Should be Banned’

Mohammad Rashid Ansari at the ‘Not in My Name’ vigil for Amarnath Yatra victims at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. (Photo: The Quint) 

I have come here because there has been an attack on Amarnath Yatra and I want that hatred should be banned. We must also remember that in Amarnath, a driver called Salim saved 50 lives. He didn’t think that I can jump out and save myself, so you (media) should focus on that as well. And the government should give compensation to the victims of the attack. 

Mohammad Rashid Ansari

‘No Death Should Be Compared’

Kawalpreet Kaur at the ‘Not in My Name’ vigil for Amarnath Yatra victims at Jantar Mantar.(Photo: The Quint)

I came as a citizen of the country giving out a message to the government that you should fix responsibility and take action. I also stand with the families of the people who were killed. Any sort of violence should be condemned. No death should be compared, when you are comparing the death, you are belittling the victim. 

Kawalpreet Kaur

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