Kathua, Unnao rapes: India demands justice, severe punishment for predators
What's the story
India has taken to streets once again like it did after December 16, 2012. It was for Nirbhaya then. Today, the nation stands united in shame, demanding justice for the Unnao, Kathua and Surat rape victims. One is 17, the other two were 8 and between 9-11 years old. PM Modi has assured justice. But India wants more. It wants action. Swift. Severe. Now.
Information
Vigils, protest marches across India
Angered over the ghastly incidents, countless Indians have come out of homes across India in protest, holding vigils, marches, shouting slogans and demanding reforms. The most notable demonstrations on Sunday were in Delhi, Lucknow, Jammu, Kerala, Mumbai and Chandigarh. Here's a low-down.
Delhi
Delhi Commission for Women chief on indefinite hunger strike
Over 500 people gathered at Parliament Street demanding UP CM Yogi Adityanath's resignation for protecting his party's MLA, the primary accused in Unnao rape. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and DCW chief Swati Maliwal joined the protests near Rajghat. Maliwal is holding an indefinite hunger strike. She is demanding death penalty for raping minors and more fast-track courts to complete their trials within six months.
Jammu
Solidarity in the wake of horrific gender crimes
Rejecting communal politics, people belonging to diverse faiths in Jammu pledged to stand united and pitched for capital punishment for the Unnao and Kathua rape convicts. An inter-religious group gathered at Jammu's Bahu Plaza Park on Sunday, carrying national flags and showing solidarity in the wake of the horrific gender-based sexual crimes.
Lucknow
It is no longer just about women safety
Social activists, theatre performers, students and volunteers staged a protest at the Gandhi statue near the general post office. Lucknow University's former vice-chancellor Prof. Roop Rekha Verma said, "The Unnao and Kathua rape cases aren't merely incidents of crime against women. It's a political matter where accused are being supported by top politicians of the country," reported Hindustan Times.
Kerala
Bank manager sacked for justifying Kathua rape
Meanwhile, Kerala is showing solidarity in its unique ways. A Kannur journalist has named his infant daughter after the Kathua rape victim, an author has asked his publishers to donate all his royalty to the victim's family. Moreover, Kotak Mahindra was forced to sack a bank manager in its Palarivattom branch for siding with the inhuman incident after a massive social media backlash.