Rally for NRI student in gay hate case

Less than a week before Dharun Ravi's sentencing on hate crime charges, hundreds of Indian- Americans participated in a rally in New Jersey protesting against his conviction, saying the former Rutgers student has been made a "scapegoat" and should not be jailed.

Updated on: May 16, 2012 12:10 AM IST

PTI | By HT Correspondent, New York

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Less than a week before Dharun Ravi's sentencing on hate crime charges, hundreds of Indian-Americans participated in a rally in New Jersey protesting against his conviction, saying the former Rutgers student has been made a "scapegoat" and should not be jailed.

Nearly 600 Indian-Americans and other supporters gathered in front of the Governor's office in New Jersey to show support for 20-year-old Ravi, convicted of bias intimidation and hate crime charges for spying on his gay roommate Tyler Clementi.

The supporters shouted slogans at the steps of the New Jersey State House and held placards that read 'Set Dharun free', 'Drop all charges', 'Justice not vengeance' and 'Grant Ravi bail'.

One sign included a statement by former Governor James McGreevey that said, "Don't make Dharun Ravi Our Anti-Gay Scapegoat."

The two-hour rally was attended by Ravi's parents who said he did not get a fair trial. Ravi was not present at the rally.

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.