Gambhir, Sania express anguish over Unnao, Kathua rape incidents

Two-time World Cup winning cricketer Gautam Gambhir and multiple Grand Slam winner Sania Mirza were among the prominent sportspersons who expressed their anger at the rape incidents in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao and Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua.

In Unnao, an 18-year-old woman was allegedly raped by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar last year. The father of the rape survivor died on April 9 in police custody. In Kathua, an 8-year-old girl Asifa Bano was raped and murdered.

There has been tremendous outrage across the country with celebrities from all walks of life voicing their concerns about safety and security of women and children.

Gambhir, who has been vocal on a lot of social issues tweeted: "Indian consciousness was raped in Unnao and then in Kathua. It's now being murdered in corridors of our stinking systems. Come on Mr System', show us if you have the balls to punish the perpetrators, I challenge you. #KathuaMurderCase #UnnaoRapeCase"
"Is this really the kind of country we want to be known as to the world today ?? If we can't stand up now for this 8 year old girl regardless of our gender,caste,colour or religion then we don't stand for anything in this world.. not even humanity.. makes me sick to the stomach