Nirbhaya’s parents took to social media to issue an open invitation for a candlelight march to commemorate the day on which their 23-year-old daughter succumbed to her injuries two years ago. They also renewed their demand for capital punishment for those convicted of gang-raping and killing her.
Her father Badrinath Singh Pandey said he and his wife Asha Devi had posted a video appeal on YouTube and approached online activists for help in spreading the word. They will gather at Jantar Mantar here on December 29 – the day Nirbhaya was declared dead post the horrific December 16 gang-rape in 2012.
“It is not an agitation but a peaceful candlelight march on the day our daughter decided to allow death to take her. Through it we will appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure that her killers are handed down the death sentence,” Mr. Pandey told
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“Where is the fast-track justice that they (the government) had promised us? The men responsible for her brutalisation are still alive and nestled in comfort in prison. Things are the same as they were when my daughter was victimised despite the public outrage, the new laws and the assurances,” Mr. Pandey added.
Published by a user named ‘Krantiwala Videos’ and titled ‘Nirbhaya Mom’s Invite on Christmas Day (sic.)’, the post lasts a little over two minutes and was made on December 25 which, according to Asha Devi, was the day in 2012 when she spoke to her daughter “for the last time”.
“I am Nirbhaya’s mother,” Asha Devi begins by saying. “... have just one request to make to all of you...Today (December 25) is the day Nirbhaya’s health deteriorated and she lost her voice...Please come to Jantar Mantar on December 29...Please come,” a tearful Asha Devi continues.
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The physiotherapy intern, who had been initially treated at Delhi’s Safdurjung Hospital for 10 days was airlifted to a super-speciality hospital in Singapore on December 27.
The next morning, however, doctors declared her dead and attributed her death to irreparable intestinal injuries.
While seeking justice for his daughter will be his primary demand, Mr. Pandey said he and his wife will also appeal to the government and the Prime Minister to ensure better safety for women across the country.
“Rapes are continuing, women and girls are suffering despite Nirbhaya’s sacrifice. The government needs to go the extra mile on the issue of crimes against women and make the country safer for them. We want to tell this to the Prime Minister personally and would like to meet him as and when his schedule permits,” Mr. Pandey said.