Activists and politicians blame the police for not allowing them to meet the victims’ families; Calling the incident “painful”, Kejriwal says the victim’s family should not be locked up.
Hundreds of citizens, student groups, activists and politicians gathered in Jantar Mantar here on Friday night to demand justice for the victim of the Hathras gang rape and murder case. The protesters demanded the resignation of Uttar Pradesh’s chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, citing increased violence against women and atrocities against Dalits in the state.
In addition to the incident, protesters said they were also outraged by what happened next, including the victim’s last rites for not being performed in the presence of her family. They shouted slogans against the UP Police for the way they have handled the case.
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Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the accused should be hanged as soon as possible. “What has happened is painful. The whole episode, the treatment the victim received, the lack of registration from the FIR, her not receiving adequate treatment, all of this is very painful, ”said Mr. Kejriwal.
He added that there is an impression that an attempt is being made to save the accused. “Let the family meet whoever they want, don’t lock them up. Nor should there be politics on this incident; whether it happens in UP, Rajasthan or Delhi, the point is that such incidents should not happen, “he said.
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The general secretary of the CPI (M), Sitaram Yechury, lashed out at the silence of the high command of the BJP on the incident. He said: “Silence of Center, top BJP commanders on the Hathras incident and the UP government’s response says a lot about the party’s authoritarian face.”
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Lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan claimed that what was happening in UP was “goonda raj” and said that the police have surrounded Hathras and are not allowing opposition leaders and media people to enter so that the voices are not heard. of the victim’s family.
Actress Swara Bhasker called for the government of the president in UP and lashed out at the government and the police for not preventing a crime and not letting her family perform the last rites.
MLA and activist Jignesh Mewani alleged that UP police were pressuring the victim’s family to sign statements to cover up their failings, and therefore were not allowing the media and opposition leaders to enter Hathras .
Bhim’s army chief Chandrashekhar Azad speaks as Bollywood actor Swara Bhaskar looks on during a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on October 2, 2020 against the gang rape of Hathras. | Photo credit: PTI
Bhim’s army chief Chandrasekhar Aazad asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence and for the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter. “I will visit Hathras and make sure the victim receives justice. We will not stop our protest until the UP Chief Minister resigns, “said Aazad.
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The voice of the students
There were also a large number of students at the protest.
All India (Delhi) Student Association secretary Prasenjeet Kumar said that UP has become a state where rapists and offenders get protection from the government. “On Unnao, Kuldeep Sengar was protected. And once again this is happening. Without a 100% conviction rate, the culture of rape cannot be stopped. District level officers must be registered under the SC / ST Act immediately, ”said Mr. Kumar.
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The protest was supposed to be at the India Gate, but after the police blocked the area, the place was moved to Jantar Mantar. The entrance gates of the Janpath, Rajiv Chowk and Patel Chowk subway stations were closed to prevent people from gathering at Jantar Mantar after the crowds began to grow.
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After this, later in the evening, the police registered a case against the protesters. “The meeting was in violation of orders issued by the NGT, the Supreme Court and the Delhi Police,” the Delhi police spokesman said. Protesters have violated prohibition orders and other laws regarding COVID-19 and a case has been recorded under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Epidemic Act and the Disaster Management Act at the police station of Parliament Street against him.
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