Protesters, who gathered at the historic India Gate, raising their voice against the release of the youngest convict in the December 16 gang-rape case, were detained on Sunday. Among those detained were the victim's parents.
Until about 5 pm, parents of the victim were shifting between India Gate and Jantar Mantar as they complained of not being allowed to protest anywhere by the police. “The police have been following us everywhere. What is the meaning of democracy if we are not allowed to protest peacefully?” questioned Badrinath Singh, father of the victim. The Delhi Police had imposed Section 144 around India Gate and entry from all points of the circle was prohibited under a thick blanket of security.
“We are helpless as far as the release is concerned. Our government, whether Centre or state, they only listen to you when you protest and get lathicharged, else they don't care," he added.
Asha Devi, the victim's mother, who sat on the street at Rajpath to protest against the release of the juvenile convict said, “If he [the juvenile convict] comes out then what is the point of a court hearing or anything. Everyone knew that he will be released, so adequate steps should have been taken in the past three years. I want justice. He should not be released.”
Several other supporters assembled around India Gate By evening demanding death sentence for the juvenile convict. BJP’s youth wing, ABVP, too staged a protest at the venue.
