Delhi gang rape: Anger rises in city as victim sinks

indiatimes.com

Protests over Sunday's brutal gang rape of a 23-year-old grew in strength and fury on Wednesday, assuming unprecedented proportions in the city even as demonstrations took place in other parts of India. On Wednesday evening, the angry voice of Delhi's students quite literally shook the seats of power. Hundreds of students from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University and Jamia Milia Islamia, along with many concerned citizens, stormed into the Central Secretariat at Raisina Hill and forced a meeting with the Union home minister, seeking an explanation on the security lapses that led to the assault. Earlier in the day, protesters laid siege on the chief minister's residence and police commissioner's office, pressing ahead relentlessly until panicky cops opened up water cannons against them. The protesters, drenched to their bones on a chilly winter day, refused to budge. Meanwhile, the cops had cordoned off most of central Delhi to prevent others from joining the stir. In the evening, what started as a spontaneous protest march at India Gate around 6pm, suddenly gained momentum when students marched straight up to Raisina Hill, jumping police barricades and blocking traffic. They pushed aside barricades while the police force guarding the high security zone did little to stop them. The cops on duty looked shocked and overwhelmed by the protest. The students finally gathered in front of North Block, filling the air with slogans such as 'home minister hai hai, home minister jawab do'. They demanded a meeting with the home minister, threatening to continue the protest at the spot until he obliges.

Minister, top cop feel the heat

"What about the gang rapes in Haryana? How many of them get reported? What about Chhattisgarh activist Soni Sori who was brutally assaulted by police. We demand an answer for everything. Can you imagine that only 12% of the rape cases get converted to FIRs?" said activist Albina Shakeel. They also said that the culture of blaming women for 'provoking' sexual violence by being out late or wearing certain kind of clothes had to stop. "Women have the right to wear what they like, go out when they want. It's the police who need to do their job," said another protester. Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde agreed to meet some of the students who went to his residence and submitted a 10-point memorandum. It included suggestions on sensitizing the police force and fast-tracking the investigation and judicial process. "It's a shame that our home minister doesn't have any idea of the conviction rate of 26% on sexual offences or that just 12% complaints are converted into FIRs," said Lenin after meeting the minister. The crowd that had also gathered in front of Shinde's house promised to continue protests in coming days. In the morning, students from JNU, Amity University and DU blocked the main gate of the Delhi Police headquarters for more than over two hours. "The gang-rape victim dared to protest against lewd comments. She is a courageous woman. Yet, she was abused. Our confidence is completely shattered," said Akhila Singh, a member of AIDWA (All India Democratic Women's' Association) which organized the protest along with 14 other women's and religious organizations. The demonstration that began at 11.15am, finally ended after a group of women met police commissioner Neeraj Kumar and submitted a charter of demands that included increased police patrolling on the roads, fast-track courts to deal with rape cases, standardized investigation procedures, increased sensitization of police and immediate relief (legal and medical) and long term rehabilitation of rape victims. Among the protesters was Rajya Sabha member Jaya Bachchan, who also met the commissioner. "We have been assured that this case will be dealt with in a very, very severe manner. I hope the government too will pitch in as Delhi Police alone cannot complete all necessary work to ensure justice for the girl in the fastest possible time," she said adding that all citizens, including MPs, should contribute money towards the girl's treatment. The demonstration blocked traffic on the busy ITO crossing with massive snarls witnessed both on the Ring Road and the Bahdurshah Zafar Marg. Traffic was diverted in the process, with more than 100 cops keeping vigil at the headquarter gates. "We want Delhi Police to follow a set of procedures and guidelines as conviction rates are very low when it comes to rape," said Sudha Sundararaman of AIDWA. Assuring the protesters that strong action will be taken against the perpetrators, police commissioner Neeraj Kumar said: "Women representatives from various organizations have demanded a monitoring committee to check crime against women. I think such a committee is needed. It will be headed by a nodal officer and women representatives from NGOs." Students and women's organizations also organized protests at Jantar Mantar and India Gate. There were also protests outside the Vasant Vihar police station, where the case has been registered and where students from JNU led the protests. They also protested at the Saket court where the accused were produced Wednesday. "It is a historic moment for students here. We have pushed aside barricades and have gheraoed the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Now they have to answer. We will not move from here," said V Lenin, president of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Association (JNUSU). Student union members said that the protest was not just meant to demand an explanation for the recent gang rape in Delhi but also about the complete failure in ensuring safety for women around the country.