Scores of Aam Aadmi Party and NSUI workers were today detained when they staged protests outside Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence over the rape of a 27-year-old woman by a taxi driver on Friday night.
AAP activists reached Mr. Singh’s residence at Ashoka Road this morning with placards criticising the Centre over the failure to check such incidents.
The protesters were stopped and detained by police and taken to Parliament Street Police Station.
“It has been six months since this government came to power but nothing has changed. They used to blame the Centre when UPA was in power and they are now themselves skirting responsibility,” said a protester.
The party vowed to raise the issue in Parliament and asked as to what steps the Government had taken to ensure security of women.
“AAP will raise the Uber rape issue in Parliament also,” tweeted AAP leader Ashutosh.
The party said they will also protest outside the Lieutenant Governor’s House.
Later, NSUI workers also staged a demonstration outside the Home Minister’s residence demanding strict punishment for the tax driver.
“The government which kept on talking about its concern on women issues during poll campaigning is sitting silent over such case. We demand stringent punishment against the rapist,” Amrish Ranjan Pandey, National Spokesperson, NSUI said.
“It has been two years since the Nirbhaya incident and this case has again proved how unsafe Delhi is for women,” he added.
The outfit claimed that 30 of its protesters were detained and taken to Mandir Marg police station.
The shocking incident, which took place days ahead of the second anniversary of the December 16 gangrape, has sparked outrage as it brought back memories of the horrific crime.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the incident was a blot on the society and that stern steps will be taken to check such crimes.
“I believe that there cannot be more unfortunate or shameful incident. We are saddened by incidents like these. Stern steps need to be taken,” he told reporters.
The Minister said that existing laws needed to be implemented more effectively and efforts should be made to bring about a perceptional change in the society.
The Delhi Police is under Union Home Ministry, which has come under attack over the shocking incident that took place days ahead of the second anniversary of the December 16 gangrape.
