Arvind Kejriwal is expected to visit Jantar Mantar, where a protest is underway over the Hathras case
New Delhi:
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to join hundreds at Jantar Mantar near India Gate tonight to demand action for the gang rape and murder of a 20-year-old woman in the Hathras of Uttar Pradesh.
The chief of Bhim’s army, Chandrashekhar Azad, had also called for a demonstration at the India Gate. But after Delhi police imposed crowd restrictions in the area, Mr Azad said the unrest had shifted to Jantar Mantar, 2 miles away.
Bhim army protesters are expected to join hundreds in what will likely be a fiery protest in Jantar Mantar. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi tweeted in support of the protest which prompted police to ban large crowds around the India Gate.
The date of the protests matters – today is Gandhi Jayanti, or the anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, who was among the first to fight for the oppressed members of the so-called lower castes.
The 20-year-old woman, who died on Tuesday, suffered broken bones, paralysis and a spinal injury after a savage assault by four men from the so-called upper castes. Police said there was a gash in her tongue because she bit it while being strangled.
Congresswoman Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also attended a prayer meeting today at Delhi’s Valmiki Temple held amid national outrage over the alleged rape and murder of the 20-year-old listed caste woman.
“We will ensure that justice is served to our sister. We will not sit still until she obtains justice,” she said, addressing a crowd of supporters and protesters in Congress.
“The government has not helped at all. Her family feels helpless. We are going to put political pressure on the government. She was not even cremated according to Hindu customs,” Ms. Vadra said.
The opposition party has been at the forefront of protests against the incident which has placed the BJP of central and UP-ruling Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the grip of growing public outrage.
