As the Unnao rape survivor battles for her life after being critically injured in a suspicious crash that killed two of her relatives, activists and lawyers led by Swaraj India founder Yogendra Yadav rallied for the culprits to be brought to justice at the India Gate in New Delhi on Monday, 29 July.
With banners and mobile torch lights, the protesters said they intend to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the victim, rising above partisan politics.
“Tum akeli nahi ho (you are not alone)”, the posters read, in solidarity with the victim.
“They thrashed the victim's father to death inside the police station. The key witnesses also died. Now the victim and her lawyer are battling for their life in the hospital,” Yadav said, emphasising that somebody has to stand up or raise their voice.
Protest in solidarity with the Unnao rape victim at India Gate.
(Photo: The Quint)
“Lakhs and crores of people sitting at home are realising how wrong it is. They’re saying ‘girl, you’re not alone’ and that is exactly what we’re here to say.”Yogendra Yadav, Swaraj India
Online Movement Brings Protesters on Board
The initiative which gathered momentum on Twitter, became an online movement, garnering over 15,000 likes and over 5,000 retweets at the time when this article was written.
Activist Anjali Bhardwaj and lawyer Prashant Bhushan were also part of the silent protest which brought people from all walks of life together to raise their voice against the accused.
The car in which the Unnao rape survivor, her family and lawyer were travelling was hit by a speeding truck in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli on Sunday, 28 July, killing two members, and leaving the survivor and her advocate critically injured.
As survivor’s mother alleges that the accident is a conspiracy by the accused, BJP legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the fact that the truck that caused the crash had inked out number plates has strengthened suspicions of foul play.
Meanwhile, an FIR has been filed against Sengar, his brother Manoj Singh Sengar and eight others named accused, along with 15-20 unidentified people in connection with the case.
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