Massive Protests in Delhi, Chandigarh Against Kathua & Unnao Rapes
The Kathua and Unnao rape cases have shaken the collective conscience of India much like the Nirbhaya case of 2012.
Hundreds of people gathered at Delhi’s Parliament Street on Sunday, 15 April, to protest against the incidents of rape in Kathua and Unnao. The rape cases have shaken the collective conscience of the nation in the last few days, much like the Nirbhaya case of 2012.
Apart from the national capital, protests have also taken place in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Chennai.
- On Sunday, 15 April, hundreds of people gathered at Delhi’s Parliament Street to demand justice for the rape victims
- Citizens in Chandigarh too came together to protest against the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua
- The protests erupting over the rapes in Kathua and Unnao reached Chennai on 14 April
- Protests also took place in Kolkata, where police reportedly detained protesters
- In solidarity with the protesters in Delhi, Mumbai saw people gathering at Azad Maidan on 13 April
- On 12 April, Congress president Rahul Gandhi led a midnight vigil protesting against the incidents of rape
Candlelight March in UP's Moradabad
The All India Mahila Sanskritik Sangathan took out a candlelight march on Sunday in UP’s Moradabad demanding justice for the victims in the Kathua and Unnao rape cases.
Chandigarh Demands Justice
Several people on Sunday, 15 March, joined a protest called by civil organisations in Chandigarh to seek justice for an eight-year-old-girl, who was raped and killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, reported PTI.
The protest was organised by the "Concerned Lawyers of Chandigarh" and the "Chandigarh Help Group" at Sector 17 Plaza.
"We are demanding justice for the girl who was raped and killed in Kathua," city-based advocate and member of the Concerned Lawyers of Chandigarh, Maninder Pal Singh Dhindsa, told PTI.
People carried placards having slogans such as "no more shielding of rapist", "human rights are not optional", and "silence is betrayal, speak up", and formed humans chains.
"Those behind this horrendous crime should be punished and the government should ensure that nobody influences this case in any way," he said.
Visuals from The Delhi Protest Site
The roads are jam-packed, as people have showed up in large numbers at the Parliament Street in the national capital.
Delhi Protests Kathua and Unnao Rapes at Jantar Mantar
Citizens in Delhi have gathered at the Parliament Street to protest against Kathua and Unnao rape incidents.
Justifying Rape, Hiding Behind Tricolour Not Acceptable: Kolkata on Kathua Rape
Chennai Rallies For Kathua and Unnao Rape Victims
“How insecure are you that you need to rape and murder an 8-year old innocent child to prove the worth of your religion,” asks Chennaites on the Kathua rape case.
Visuals From Candle Light Vigil in Kolkata
Citizens of Kolkata came together in solidarity for the eight-year-old rape victim in Kathua.
Punish The Culprits, Hang The Rapists: Chennai on Kathua, Unnao Horror
Kathua, Unnao Rape Protests Reaches Kolkata
On 14 April, Saturday people gathered at the Press Club in Kolkata in solidarity with the rape victims in Kathua and Unnao.
Chennai Speaks Up Over Kathua and Unnao Rapes
Citizens of Chennai come out in large numbers to speak up against the brutal rapes in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua and Uttar Pradesh’s Kathua. The protesters on Saturday demanded capital punishment for the perpetrators in the heinous crime.
Bengaluru Protests At Town Hall Against Kathua, Unnao
"Why Is No One Spared": Bengaluru Speaks Out
Watch: Bengaluru Takes to Streets to Protest Against Kathua, Unnao Rapes
Bengaluru Joins the Protest Against Kathua, Unnao Rapes
Police Detain Protestors in WB
Protests were also held by All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO) outside Raj Bhavan in Kolkata over Unnao and Kathua rape cases. The West Bengal police have reportedly detained the protesters.
Yashwant Sinha Joins DCW Chief's Protest
BJP leader and former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha joined Delhi Commission for Women Chief Swati Maliwal’s protest against Kathua, Unnao rapes.
Maliwal began her indefinite hunger strike on Thursday. 12 April
Messages Left During the Protests in Mumbai's Azad Maidan
Visuals From Mumbai's Azad Maidan Protests
Glimpses of protestors in Mumbai hold messages during the Azad Maidan protest against Kathua and Unnao rape cases.
Watch | Mumbai Takes to Azad Maidan to Protest Kathua, Unnao Rapes
What Is the Kathua, Unnao Case About?
The chargesheet filed by the J&K police in the Kathua rape case that took place in January revealed that an 8-year-old Muslim girl was held captive in Hindu temple, sedated, raped repeatedly, bludgeoned to death and discarded in a forest by three men.
Lawyers in Jammu and Hindu Ekta Manch members are rallying behind the accused, with two BJP MLAs seen waving the tricolour as they marched in defence of the accused.
Politicians and lawmakers tried to stop the police from filing a chargesheet in the case, trying to further communalise the issue.
Her father was taken into custody under the Arms Act on 5 April, after allegedly being beaten up by Sengar’s brother and his men. He died in police custody on 9 April.
While in the Unnao case, the CBI has initiated a probe on Thursday, in the Kathua case, those defending the accused are demanding a CBI probe, alleging bias in the J&K Police’s investigation.
Congress, AAP Join Protests
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