Day after, Hashmi crusade on its feet

‘‘After the press meet at Hotel Sayaji, two reporters tried quizzing us and raised slogans. Soon, they went downstairs and called some VHP goons who surrounded and pushed me around. A complaint has been sent to NHRC,’’ says Hashmi.

‘‘With most of us aged between 14 and 22, it was even more scary. This is violation of human rights,’’ adds Swapnil Gupta (17).

While the others have taken the incident in their stride, Trivedi is extremely hurt. ‘‘I feel insecure. And I fear for the safety of my family now,’’ says this Ahmedabad resident.

The students claim the activists wanted to single out Gujaratis and Muslims. Sambuddha Bhattacharya (17) from Kolkata alleges having heard an activist tell Hashmi: ‘‘This is Modi’s Gujarat. Just like we raped Muslim women, we will rape you.’’

But the young enthusiastic bunch wants to continue the campaign. ‘‘No matter what, we will continue our karwan,’’ says Ajita Vidyarathi (18) from Delhi. Asked how their parents had reacted, Kamna Ramakrishnan (22) of Ahmedabad notes, ‘‘Initially, my father was upset. But he told me not to return till I had finished the tour of 40 cities.’’