UK-based Indian students denied access to Modi's event in London
What's the story
A UK-based group of Indian students and alumni has said that it was denied access to PM Modi's 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath' event in London. The National Indian Students and Alumni UK (NISAU), whose members' tickets were cancelled, had written a letter to PM Modi on the issue of women's safety in India. Here's more.
NISAU's letter
The NISAU's letter to PM Modi
Last week, the NISAU had written to PM Modi, saying that they were shell-shocked by the spate of recent rape cases in Kathua, Unnao, and Surat. They demanded swift and extraordinary measures be taken to bring the rapists to justice. The students were looking forward to attending the event where PM Modi was expected to respond to their letter.
Quote
NISAU letter asks Modi to take "extraordinary" steps for justice
"You have not shied away from taking difficult decisions in the past, such as with demonetisation. Please take similar extraordinary steps to prove that India's daughters matter," said the NISAU letter.
Press conference
Cannot answer, says foreign secretary as students demand explanation
Just hours before PM Modi's event in London, the NISAU - which has students from 19 UK universities - asked Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale why eight out of nine of their tickets were cancelled. Gokhale, who was holding a press conference on India-Britain relations, refused to answer saying that the question was beyond the purview of the conference.
PM Modi's address
PM Modi says rape shouldn't be politicized, promises swift justice
At the 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath' event in London, PM Modi said that "rape is rape" and shouldn't be politicized. Modi, who faced criticism from hundreds of protesters in London for his silence on the aforementioned rape cases, stressed on the importance of teaching men to respect women as a precursor to curbing rape in India. He promised swift justice.