It was grief and anger across Uttarakhand as news of the death of the Delhi gang-rape victim spread on Saturday.
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna prayed for the departed soul and for strength to her family. The Congress has postponed a rally scheduled to be held at Roorkee on Sunday. “We will jointly launch a crusade to make life safer for women,” said party leader and Minister Yashpal Arya.
Human rights activist Renu D. Singh of Samadhan said it was high time politicians legislated deterrent laws to prevent such heinous crimes. A special session of Parliament should be called for the purpose, she said.
People of all ages took out processions in Dehra Dun demanding the death penalty for the accused in the December 16 crime in the national capital. Similar protests were reported from Mussoorie, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri, Srinagar, Haldwani, Naini Tal and Almora.