Delhi gang-rape protests to intensify today

The ongoing protests demanding stringent punishment for the culprits involved in the gang-rape of the 23-year-old student that had waned over the past couple of weeks are expected to regain momentum on Wednesday as it marks one month since the ghastly crime took place. Several groups including students, activists and informal groups which have been active on social media in mobilising campaign seeking justice for the gang-rape victim have called for a large-scale peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar and different other parts of the Capital.

Medical students, residents and nurses of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC), All-India Institute of Medical Science and Maulana Azad Medical College will take out a peaceful candlelight march at 5-30 p.m. from VMMC to Prime Minister’s residence on Wednesday demanding safe public space for women.

The All India Students’ Association along with several other Left-affiliated bodies have called for a vigil at Delhi University’s art faculty around 12 noon on Wednesday. Kavita Krishnan from the All India Progressive Women’s Association said: “We do not want this movement to die. Our demands are the same but we are yet to see any substantial change happening on the ground.”

“We will continue with our demands for stringent punishment for violence against women and gender sensitive laws on crime against women after consultation with women’s organisations and student groups. We immediate relief in terms of legal, medical, financial and psychological assistance and long-term rehabilitation measures to survivors of sexual assault. We also want the Government to announce and publicise gender-just protocols for the First Information Reports and the police investigation of crime against women,” she added.

Jharna Bhatnagar, who has been mobilising people on social media, argued that the Government and concerned agencies have been dragging their feet as far as convicting the culprits of the Delhi gang-rape is concerned. “We are very surprised at the extreme delay in delivering justice in the case even after so much of protest. This only indicates that the system is so apathetic that it needs regular shocks.”