In Pictures
In Pictures: Delhi demands rapists’ death
Thousands gathered in India’s capital to mourn the death of a gang-rape victim, and to demand her attackers be hanged.
New Delhi, India – Demanding capital punishment for rapists and more security of women, thousands of protesters took to the streets of India’s capital on Saturday.
Together, they mourned the death of a 23-year-old woman who was brutally gang raped on December 16 on a moving bus in Delhi.
The victim, whose attack triggered widespread protests demanding stricter laws and greater safety, succumbed to her injuries earlier in the day in Singapore. her body was to be flown back to India later on Saturday.
Protesters of all ages started gathering at 10:00am at Jantar Mantar in the heart of the city, the centre for many of the protests that have taken place here. Some younger women who joined the protests were accompanied by their parents, chanting slogans against the violence shown to women. They also decried the security lockdown of India Gate and its surrounding areas, which saw violent protests last week when thousands of protestors had clashed with police.
Ten metro stations around these areas have also been closed for added security measures.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit arrived in Jantar Mantar around 2:00pm, but was forced to leave as angry protesters swarmed around her. Those demonstrating, in this city and across India, say they plan to continue the disruption until their demands are met.