At least three Islamabad police personnel involved in baton-charging the participants of Aurat March, a public demonstration held annually in various cities to mark International Women’s Day, were suspended.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the three policemen were suspended while “other persons responsible for misbehaviour” were also being identified and proper action would also be taken against them.
The police personnel involved in baton-charging the participants of the Women’s March have been suspended. Moreover, other persons responsible for misbehavior are also being identified, and proper action will be taken against them too.
— Rana SanaUllah Khan (@RanaSanaullahPK) March 8, 2023
In Islamabad, police baton-charged the Aurat March participants and blocked the route to the march with barbed wires and containers.
Police baton charge at Aurat March participants in Islamabad. #AuratMarch2023 #AuratAzadiJalsa2023 #AuratMarch #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/X6UQFDgyuX
— Dissent Today (@DissentToday) March 8, 2023
Police also remained silent spectators while media persons attacked the transgender people participating in the march.
Media persons hit transgender people participating in Aurat March as Islamabad police remain silent spectators. #AuratMarch2023 #AuratAzadiJalsa2023 #AuratMarch #8thMarch pic.twitter.com/ST1RKHCV1U
— Dissent Today (@DissentToday) March 8, 2023
The march participants were also intimidated and harassed by religious groups.
Following the incident, the interior minister had taken notice of the violence used by the police against citizens and said that “strict legal action” would be pursued against those responsible for the “mistreatment”.
Sanaullah had said that the Islamabad police chief had been summoned regarding the matter.
I have taken strict notice of the behaviour meted out to the participants of the women’s march in Islamabad. The IG Police Islamabad has been summoned, and strict legal action will be taken against those responsible for this mistreatment.
— Rana SanaUllah Khan (@RanaSanaullahPK) March 8, 2023
Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman had also condemned the incident.
“The Islamabad police had no business baton-charging a small peaceful procession,” she tweeted.
“It is the women holding laathis that need to be pushed back, not progressive women. Sad to see this happening. I will seek an inquiry,” she said.
Friends from @AuratAzadiMarch are rightly upset. The Islamabad police had NO business laathi charging a small peaceful procession. It is the women holding laathis that need to be pushed back, not progressive women. Sad to see this happening. Will seek an inquiry
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) March 8, 2023
The basic demands behind the Aurat March are equal opportunities for everyone, including transgenders and women; raising awareness regarding gender-based violence, and calling on authorities to make laws in this regard. The demands also include drafting policies regarding risks related to climate change and the exploitation of the poor that comes with it among many other issues.
However, the organisers of the March face resistance from the government and regressive elements in society every year.
