THROUGH a statement issued from New Delhi on April 28, 2014, the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT) strongly condemned the attack on Shabnam Hashmi in Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. She was attacked at about 12.30 p m on April 28  while she with her associates was distributing leaflets brought out by JAVAB (Janvadi Vichar Andolan Bharat) barely 100 metres from the Gadaganj police station in side the Rae Bareli  constituency. Shabnam Hashmi and her associate were attacked by a gang of about 20 hoodlums who snatched all the JAVAB leaflets while pushing and abusing Ms Shabnam Hashmi in the most foul and sexist terms.   At the police station, she had to argue with the SHO, telling him that no one can be stopped from exercising their right to free expression and that he had to entertain an FIR against the attack on her and the threats of rape and sexist abuses. The SHO did not register an FIR and did not give her a copy of her complaint. The SAHMAT has demanded that the hoodlums are immediately apprehended and coercive tactics of the BJP not be allowed by the local administration. AIDWA DEMANDS ARREST OF CULPRITS THE All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) too has condemned the attack on social activists, Shabnam Hashmi and Pratap Singh Negi, in Rae Bareli, by BJP workers. The AIDWA said the attack indicated the intolerance and dictatorial attitude of the party. It wondered how they could dare to stop others from campaigning and at the same time use abusive language against a female, threatening rape. Terming all this as shocking, the AIDWA demanded immediate strict action against the culprits.