New Delhi: Thousands of people on Thursday formed a human chain around Central Park in Delhi’s Connaught Place area to protest against the increasing number of rape cases and to raise public awareness over the issue, Delhi Commission of Women stated.
The human chain was formed as part of a “Rape Roko” campaign, which the commission had launched after the brutal rape of an eight-month-old baby in January.
Since then, the commission has been staging several programmes to raise public awareness over the issue.
On Tuesday, the male volunteers of the campaign walked the streets in the city wearing only boxer shorts to send out a message that “clothes do not cause rape, sick mentality does”.
More than 10,000 people participated in the peaceful demonstration on Thursday, demanding the completion of trial in child rape cases within six months and death penalty for the accused in rape cases, according to a statement issued by the commission.
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who participated in the event, said that the Delhi government will make every effort to ensure the safety of women in the national capital.
Mr Sisodia said that he was working on a new curriculum in city schools so as to ensure a change in the mindset in children. “I am working on that,” he added.
Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, singer Caralisa Monteiro and actor Luke Kenny also participated in the human chain along with DCW chairperson Swati Jaihind and scores of men, women and children.
A “Rape Roko” video song composed by Caralisa Monteiro and featuring Bollywood celebrities Farhan Akhtar, Shankar Mahadevan, Anushka Manchanda, Mahalaxmi Iyer and others was also released at the event, the statement stated. Mr Dutt and Mr Kenny appealed to the people to raise their voice against rapes.
On Wednesday, the commission chairperson alleged that she was manhandled along with other representatives when the participants were marching towards the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to submit 5.55 lakh letters, which it had received from across the country as part of its campaign.
Ms Jaihind also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to the “Mann ki Baat” of the people of the country, who demanded strict action against the child rapists.
The participants also shouted slogans such as “Nari Mukti Zindabad” and “Nari Ekta Zindabad" as they pledged to continue working on issues related with women.
