People gather at Jantar Mantar seeking justice for Hathras victim

Protesters, including leaders of political parties, have gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi against the Union and UP governments for, what they claim, is “not doing enough to stop crime against women”. They are seeking justice in the alleged gang rape and murder of a 20-year-old woman in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras.

The date of protests is significant, today being the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who was a champion of the so-called lower castes.

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad has also joined the protest while Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to join soon. The protest has prompted the police to ban large crowds around India Gate.

“The UP government has no right to stay in power. Our demand is that justice should be served,” said CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury. “The silence of the central government and the top leadership of the BJP on such a heinous crime and the UP government’s response thereafter speak volumes about the authoritarian and anti-democratic chehra, chaal, charitra, and chintan of the ruling party,” he said.

The 20-year-old woman, who died on Tuesday, suffered fractures, paralysis and a spinal injury after a savage assault by four men from the so-called upper castes. The police said there was a gash in her tongue because she had bitten it while being strangled.

Also read: Another gruesome UP crime: Girl,11, dead after head smashed with brick

Congress’ Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attended a prayer meet at Delhi’s Valmiki Temple on Friday, demanding justice in alleged rape and murder of the 20-year-old woman. ” We won’t sit quietly till our sister gets justice,” she said, addressing a crowd of Congress supporters and demonstrators.

“The government did not help at all. Her family is feeling helpless. We will put political pressure on the government. She wasn’t even given a cremation following Hindu customs,” Ms Vadra said.