People's Democracy

BHUBANESWAR

Citizens Protest Delhi Gang Rape

Suresh Panigrahi

ON December 29, the Citizens  Forum of Bhubaneswar organised  a militant procession and meeting in this capital of Odisha, city Bhubaneswar in protest  against the barbaric gang rape of a Delhi girl her subsequent death at a Singapur hospital. Hundreds of students, youth, women, workers, slum dwelling people, human rights activists and social workers participated  in the programme.

Addressing the protesters, CPI(M) state secretary, Janardan Pati, said the central government was solely responsible for this  heinous crime against the 23 years old girl, a paramedical student. He demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits and all possible preventive steps at the administrative level to ensure the safety and security of the women community. He also demanded dismissal of Delhi police commissioner and the home secretary of the government of India for their irresponsible behaviour regarding this heinous crime. The CPI(M) leader also  criticised  the severely  irresponsible and undemocratic behaviour of union home minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde, during this period, adding that Shinde too step down from the ministry on moral ground.  Pati urged the protesting people to continue the sustained campaign and protest against violence on women and the inaction of the government authorities on this issue. There should be a zero tolerance policy towards the crime against women, Pati said.

Others who participated in this procession and meeting, which was held at the Master Canteen Square, included human rights activist Biswapriya Kanungo, state AIDWA  president Puspa Das, peasant leader Suresh Panigrahi, SFI  state secretary Sarat Das, DYFI state president Jatin Mohanty, Slumdwellers Association  leader Pravat Panigrahy, Anjan Nath, Charu, Karukala  Chatra   Sangha  president Harihara Behera  and many others.