The Mahila Morcha, the women’s wing of the Aam Aadmi Party, held a protest on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. The demonstration focused on demanding justice for the Kolkata rape and murder victim, as well as addressing the broader issue of rape and violence against women across the country.
A large group of women councillors and workers led by AAP Delhi Mahila Morcha President Sarika Chaudhary, along with MLAs Preeti Singh Tomar and Dhanwanti, staged a protest at Rajghat. During the demonstration, they chanted slogans such as ‘India will not tolerate atrocities on women’ and ‘Hang the murderer, give justice to the daughter of the country’.
While speaking to the media, AAP Delhi Mahila Morcha President and Daryaganj Councillor Sarika Chaudhary expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of violence against women and children across the country. She highlighted the increasing frequency of such tragic events in places like Kolkata, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and other parts of India, noting that reports of rape, including the rape of young girls, appear daily. Chaudhary called on the central government to implement stricter laws to address these heinous crimes, emphasising the need for severe punishments and expedited trials in fast-track courts.
She urged the Central Government to enact the strictest laws on this matter and to ensure immediate action in rape cases, lamenting that such responses are currently lacking.
Chaudhary also called for an increase in police personnel to better protect women and children, asserting that those convicted of such crimes should receive the death penalty within six months, regardless of the state in which the crime occurred. Additionally, Chaudhary demanded a thorough investigation by the CBI into the case, pointing out that the facts remain unclear. She stressed that the culprits must be sentenced to death.
This statement comes in the wake of the tragic incident on August 9, when a doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently probing the case, and the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the incident on August 18.