Protest held at Jantar Mantar against rape, murder of Hyderabad veterinarian

Members of the civil society gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Monday and protested against the brutal rape and murder of a young veterinary doctor in Hyderabad, joining many others demanding justice for her across the country.

Wearing black bands, around 70 people led by Congress leader Amrita Dhawan took to the streets and carried placards that read "we want justice" and "hang the rapists".

Congress MP Revanth Reddy also joined the protest at Jantar Mantar and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi talk about the incident.

"Nirbhaya's rapists have still not been hanged. It's been seven years now. Modiji might have been successful in implementing 'Beti Bachao, Beti Badhao' but has been unsuccessful in providing security to women."
Dhawan, the organiser of the protest at Jantar Mantar, said, "I am organising this protest not as a politician but as a member of the civil society who is concerned about what is happening in our society. Why did we need another Nirbhaya-like incident to talk about how unsafe women are?"
"This is my first time in a protest. I am here because, just like a woman who stays in Delhi away from home, the issue affects me and my family."
Purohit, who hails from Jhansi, said her parents regularly call her and ask her to be back in hostel by 5 pm. "They start crying if my phone is switched off even for five minutes. What are women supposed to do?"
Kawalpreet Kaur, Delhi president of All India Students' Association, said, "It is not the mistake of women if they are raped. Women are blamed when such incidents happen. Why are we not talking about the fact that had there been a good public transport system, she would not have been travelling on her scooter. Victim shaming has to end."
Holding placards demanding punishment for rapists, she said, "I am groped and molested almost every day in Delhi buses. Nobody takes my permission before touching me. Why do I need permission to protest? Giving freebies to women will not help but ensuring safety for them will."