Indians will send underwear to right-wing activists

In India, more than 5,000 people outraged at an attack on women for drinking in a bar have gathered together to send a provocative gift of underwear to right-wing activists.

The Facebook group, “Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women” have said that they will give the pink underwear to Sri Ram Sena (Army of Lord Ram) on Valentine’s Day this Saturday. Last month, Sri Ram Sena was blamed for the bar attack in the southern city of Mangalore when men chased and beat up women. Following the attack around 30 people were arrested including Pramod Mutalik, the leader of this right-wing group. Mr Mutalik is now on bail and has said it is “not acceptable” for women to go to bars in India. The Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women is encouraging women to walk to the nearest pub and buy a drink on Valentine’s Day. Nisha Susan, a spokesperson for the group told the BBC it was giving “chaddis” (informal for underwear) to the group since the right-wing group wear khaki shorts and are often mocked and called "chaddi wallahs" (chaddi wearers). She said: "We chose the colour pink because it is a frivolous colour." The Hindu BJP government have distanced themselves from the attack but a BBC correspondent has said that right-wing vigilante groups are loosely linked to the BJP.