Light up CSTM on International Men's Day: Activists to Rlys

Shooting a letter to the Central Railways, Mumbai-based men's rights activists have asked the authorities to light up Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on the eve of November 19, the International Men's Day. The railways have forwarded the request to the engineering department for further scrutiny.

Vaastav Foundation, an NGO in the city, has requested the Central Railway to light up the UNESCO heritage site on the annual occasion.

Amit Deshpande, founder of Vaastav foundation, said, "If the government can light up the heritage structure for Women's Day, why it cant be lit up on the occasion of the Men's day? We are fighting for gender equality. Today, the railways should prove that we respect equality."

The letter, which was submitted to the Divisional Railway Manager, has been now been forwarded to the Chief Electricity Engineer. 

"We are waiting for the response from the railways. The laws should be neutral and we are fighting for it with the government," said Deshpande.

"We had written to the railways to show solidarity towards men welfare, which they had rejected earlier. The safety and security of men is at stake. We have conveyed this to the Chief Minister also. We demand equal laws for men and women," said Deshpande.

Another member of Vaasta foundation said, "Women, on one hand, get all the facilities, but we, men, are deprived of such security measures. The Indian government should mould laws which will benefit the entire family."

WHY ONLY WOMEN?

• The activists have said that the security of men is at stake as women get all the facilities