The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC-USA) Washington DC Chapter organized a peaceful gathering at the Mahatma Gandhi Statue in front of the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, expressing solidarity with students in India and protesting alleged police excesses against peaceful student demonstrators.
During the gathering, participants congratulated the students on their preliminary success in securing accountability for serious lapses and criticized the Central Government for its alleged indifference in addressing the issue.
The attendees urged the Government of India and the judiciary to safeguard the constitutional rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, while ensuring that the rule of law is upheld.
The gathering demanded strict action against those responsible for attacks on students, the withdrawal of all cases filed against peaceful protesters, adequate compensation for students and youth injured during police action, and meaningful reforms in the education sector.
The event was led by Johnson Myalil, President of the IOC-USA Washington DC Chapter. Community activist Rohit Tripathi, along with IOC-USA office-bearers Vijay Narula and Vipin Raj, also addressed the gathering and reiterated their support for the students' democratic rights.
