New Delhi: As many as 175 organisations, women and men – from across various fields of profession and activism – have written an open letter urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take note of his constitutional duty to protect all citizens, especially in the light of the charged rhetoric that BJP leaders have been employing against anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protesters.Drawing attention to the fact that most of the protesters are women and that Modi’s party has gone about campaigning for the Delhi assembly election with speeches that call for violence on said women protesters, the signatories requested the prime minister for his intervention.Elections, they said, must be fought in a manner that upholds the constitution.Prominent among the individual signatories are economist Devaki Jain, DASTKAR chairperson Laila Tyabji, former diplomats Madhu Bhaduri and Navrekha Sharma, historian and filmmaker Uma Chakravarti and former member of the National Commission for Minorities, Zoya Hasan.Also read: We Are Seeing, for the First Time, a Sustained Countrywide Movement Led by WomenOrganisations that work for women’s rights, like Saheli, Pinjra Tod, Women against Sexual Violence and State Repression, Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch, Muslim Women’s Forum, etc. also signed the open letter.The full text of the letter is produced below.§Dear Mr Prime Minister,We speak to you as women of this country, and the women of Delhi – Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Adivasi and Dalit – who are horrified at the atmosphere of violence against women that members of your party have created merely to try and win an election.– When Mr Anurag Thakur, a sitting minister in the Central government exhorts a crowd to yell ‘Goli maaron saalon ko’, please remember that in this case the ‘saalon’ is lakhs of peacefully protesting women, sitting in parks and maidans across the city, with young children on their laps.– Another campaigner for your party, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Ajay Singh Bisht aka ‘Yogi Adityanath’, kicked off his campaign in Delhi by saying ‘Boli se nahi to goli se maanenge’!– When the esteemed home minister, Mr Amit Shah asks people to push the EVM button on February 8 with such force “that protesters feel the current”, is he wishing to electrocute the women?– Is the BJP now openly endangering the lives of India’s women and children? This is what history will record and India will not forgive, Mr Prime Minister. For the nation saw the direct result of this violent atmosphere created by members of your party, which inspired a young man to open fire at innocent students in Jamia Millia Islamia on January 30, and another terrorist weaponised by the hate being spread by your party, fired at the women of Shaheen Bagh on February 1.– Mr Parvesh Verma, your party MP, said, “Lakhs of people gather there (at Shaheen Bagh). People of Delhi will have to think and take a decision. They’ll enter your houses, rape your sisters and daughters, kill them.”What is this kind of communal hate and fear mongering that you, as head of government, are encouraging, that seeks to make women of all communities feel more insecure and threatened? Vote for BJP or you will get raped! Is this your election message to Delhi’s women? Is this how low your party has sunk?Women understand the meaning of rape, Mr Prime Minister. We have long suffered violence on our bodies, with little access to justice, despite your government’s slogan of ‘Beti Bachao’! We condemn this attempt to demean our histories of pain and fear by using it for cheap, divisive electioneering.We do not fear the Shaheen Baghs of Delhi, Mr Prime Minister. What we fear is a government that directs its security forces to attack peacefully protesting students, women and men. Elected members who openly threaten ordinary citizens. And a police force that stands by and watches as people inspired by this hate-filled rhetoric indulge in acts of violence.Also read: Why Kerala Has Gone to Supreme Court Against the CAAYour government may disagree with the reasons for this nation-wide uprising against the NPR-NRC-CAA. But peaceful protest is our constitutional right. That is all we are doing. Lakhs of Delhi’s women are not just part of this movement, they are leading it. Empowered women are on the front lines. We will not be silent when women are labelled terrorists and traitors, when all they are doing it fighting to protect and preserve the Constitution of our country.Mr Prime Minister, you may belong to BJP, but you are the Prime Minister of the country and have a Constitutional obligation to protect the rights of all citizens. When members of your party exhort mobs to use violence and bullets and you remain silent or support them, remember it is you who are responsible.You need to speak out against such targeted violence and hate speech.You need to take immediate action, including under all relevant criminal provisions of the penal code, against these violence mongering members of your party.You need to fight the Delhi election in a manner that upholds the dignity of our Constitution and ensures the security of India’s women.Issued by:Organisations:1. Saheli Women’s Resource Centre2. Ajita, Nisha, Rinchin & Shalini, Convenors, Women against Sexual Violence and State Repression (WSS)3. All India Democratic Women’s Association4. National Federation of Indian Women5. All India Progressive Women’s Association6. Muslim Women’s Forum7. Pinjra Tod8. Centre for Struggling Women9. All India Queer Association10. Jamia Queer Collective11. Makaam- Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch, Delhi12. Aman Biradari13. Karwan-e- MohabbatIndividuals1. Devaki Jain, Feminist Economist2. Laila Tyabji, Craft activist and Chairperson, DASTKAR3. Madhu Bhaduri,former Ambassador of India4. Navrekha Sharma, former Ambassador of India5. Zoya Hasan, Former Professor & Member, National Commission for Minorities6. Uma Chakravarti, Feminist Historian and filmmaker7. Syeda Hameed, Former Member, Planning Commission of India8. Kamla Bhasin, Gender Rights Activist9. Farah Naqvi, Author and Activist10. Natasha Badhwar, Author and Film-maker11. Reena Mohan, film maker12. Nivedita Menon, Professor, JNU13. Nupur Basu, Journalist14. Geeta Seshu, Free Speech Collective, Mumbai15. Geeta Kapur, art critic16. Enakshi Ganguly, Child Rights activist17. Anjali Bhardwaj, Satark Nagrik Sangathan18. Maya Krishna Rao, Theatre artist19. V. Geetha, Independent feminist scholar20. Susie Tharu, Independent Scholar and Writer21. Urvashi Butalia, Publisher22. Vivan Sundaram, artist23. Madhusree Dutta, artist24. Sanjana Sarkar. Head, Institut Francais, Rajasthan Annex25. Sadhna Arya, Delhi University26. Brinda Singh, Human Resource Development27. Deepa Pathak, self employed28. Lalitha Krishna, Filmmaker29. Indira C, Delhi30. Priya Pillai, Delhi31. Lekha Bhagat, Potter32. Namita Nayak, Filmmaker33. Ashima Roy Chowdhry, Feminist Activist34. Sania Farooqui, Journalist35. Subasri Krishnan, Filmmaker36. Suresh Rajamani, Filmmaker37. Adsa Fatima, Feminist activist38. Deepa Venkatachalam, Health Activist39. Shreshtha Das, Independent Consultant40. Dr. Ponni Arasu, Chennai41. Nandini Manjrekar42. Rituparna, Queer Feminist43. Vani Subramanian, Film maker44. Nandini Rao, feminist activist45. Ritambhara, Feminist46. Ananya Iyer, Student, M.A. Women’s Studies47. Seema Baquer, Cross Disability consultant48. Suneeta Dhar, activist49. Rafiul Alom Rahman, Queer Activist50. Shipra Nigam, research scholar51. Dipta Bhog, feminist activist52. Malini Ghose. New Delhi53. Archana Dwivedi, Feminist Activist54. Purnima Gupta, Feminist Activist55. Rakhi Sehgal, Researcher & Trade Unionist56. Savita Sharma, Feminist Activist57. Shirin, entrepreneur58. Amrita Johri, Activist59. Abha Choudhuri, Concerned citizen60. Geeta Sahai, Writer, Filmmaker, Social entrepreneur61. Freny Khodaiji, Film Producer, Animal Rights Activist62. Minnie Vaid, Filmmaker and Author63. Padmaja Shaw, Retired Professor, Journalism, Osmania University64. Sharmin Khodaiji, Senior Research Associate, O. P. Jindal Global University65. Shernaz Italia, Film Producer, Animal Rights Activist66. Usha Rao, Anthropologist/independent media maker67. Hansa Thapliyal, Filmmaker68. Rahul Roy, Filmmaker69. Janaki Abraham, Academic70. Kavita Bahl, Filmmaker71. Nandan Saxena, Filmmaker72. Nishtha Jain, Filmmaker73. Radha Misra, Academic74. Ranjan Palit, Filmmaker75. Saba Dewan, Filmmaker, Author76. Samina Mishra, Filmmaker77. Uma Tanuku, Filmmaker78. Aamana Singh, Graphic Designer79. A.M. Padmanabhan, audiographer80. Anjana Mangalagiri, Educationist81. Devika Menon, PhD Scholar82. Kanupriya Sharma, Sr. Archivist, New Delhi83. Neena Verma, Filmmaker84. Pooja Singh, Development professional, New Delhi85. Preeti Gulati, PhD scholar86. Sanjana Manaktala, Development professional, New Delhi87. Vasundhara Chauhan, Concerned Citizen88. Vanita Nayak Mukherjee, concerned citizen89. Bharathy Singaravel, Writer90. Dipti Bhalla Verma, Filmmaker91. Shakti Kak, concerned citizen92. Richa Hushing, Filmmaker93. Rrivu Laha, Filmmaker94. Brij Tankha, Academic95. Bursenla,Media Lab, Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Bengaluru96. Gauri D. Chakraborty, Academic97. Kamini Tankha, Concerned citizen98. Kristine Michael, Artist99. Mirza Afzal Beg, Farmer100. Ridhima Mehra, Concerned Citizen101. Anandita Jumde, Editor102. Archana Kapoor, Filmmaker103. Ayisha Abraham, Academic, Artist104. Mahima, Business105. Dimple Oberoi Vahali106. Meenakshi Barooah, Filmmaker107. Muraleedharan C K, Cinematographer108. Nabeela Rizvi, filmmaker and researcher109. Namita Unnikrishnan, Therapist110. Nilita Vachani, Filmmaker/ Educator111. Rohini Devraj, Filmmaker112. Samreen Farooqui, Filmmaker113. Senjuti Mukherjee, Researcher, Archivist, Writer114. Sheena Jain, independent researcher115. Sherna Dastur, Graphic Designer116. Sumalata K, Creative Director117. Svetlana Naudiyal, Film Programmer118. Urmi Juvekar, Screenwriter119. Anumeha, Journalist120. Jayoo Patwardhan, Architect, Filmmaker, Art Director121. Jeroo Mulla, Educationist122. Maya Palit, Journalist123. Renu Gourisaria, retired schoolteacher124. Mrinalini Vasudevan, Writer and Editor125. Shalini Mukerji, Canine Trainer126. Ratna Golaknath, Psychotherapist127. Aradhana Anand, Furniture Designer128. Rita Singh, retired school teacher129. Ritambhara Shastri, journalist130. Mala Srikanth, Doctor131. Mimansa Sahay – Graphic Designer and Diver132. Shabani Hassanwalia, New Delhi133. Disha Mullick, Delhi134. Pali Singh, student, DU135. Arushi Mathur, Dancer136. Satnam Kaur137. Geeta Thatra, PhD student, JNU138. Titas Ghosh, feminist researcher, New Delhi139. Abhiti, Lawyer, Delhi140. Abhilasha, Law Student, Delhi University141. Suroor Mander, Lawyer142. Honey Oberoi Vahali143. Prabha N144. Aamana Singh, New Delhi145. Radha Mahendru, Art Worker146. Faustina Johnson, Editor147. Anne Correa, Lawyer148. Drishya Nair, Scientist/researcher149. Joyeeta Dey, researcher150. Jennifer Areng Datta, Filmmaker, Film editor151. Mallika Visvanathan, filmmaker, researcher152. Pooja Madhavan, Editor153. Pia Hazarika, illustrator154. Diamond Oberoi Vahali155. Veena, Cncerned citizen156. Shagun Talwar, Consultant157. Noopur, Ed-tech consultant158. Ein Lall, Filmmaker159. Sumona Chakravarty, Artist160. Sinjita Basu, Educational Specialist, Bangalore161. Sreemoyee Singh, PhD Scholar162. Farha Khatun, Filmmaker