It has been nearly a month since the gruesome gang rape and murder in the capital that shook the entire nation was first reported in the media.
But protests at Jantar Mantar for stringent laws for women’s safety refuse to subside.
“It is the anger in us that we want to convey to the government. We will keep coming here until there is change in the system,” said Suman, one of the fiery 14 youth who claim to have been protesting at Jantar Mantar since December 22 last year.
Suman recounts that it was the lathicharge and use of water cannons by police on December 22 that united these 14 youngsters from different parts of the capital.
“We did not know each other. It was police violence that brought us here. We coordinate with each other before coming to Jantar Mantar now,” said Vikram Singh, a student.
Despondency is writ large on their faces, though they continue their protest. “We sort of know that our voices may not be heard at the top, but we want to continue till the end,” said Suman, a choreographer.
She lamented the dissipating anger among the crowd. She said that until January 1, anger was palpable.
“Most of the NGOs come here in the morning and leave by 8 pm. We have withstood biting cold and protested. Now, we know who a genuine protestor is, and who not,” said Vikram.
Although protester Babu Singh broke his fast on Saturday, he claimed that he would not leave the historic Jantar Mantar until the government brought in laws to protect women.
“I called off my hunger strike yesterday (Saturday). I had been getting phone calls regularly from Arvindji (Kejriwal) as he was concerned about my failing health,” Singh said. His fast lasted nearly 20 days.
“Arvindji visited me at Jantar Mantar yesterday and asked me to end my fast and carry on with my agitation. He said I should help in strengthening the movement,” said Singh.
Women from various NGOs were also present at Jantar Mantar, shouting slogans demanding justice for the 23-year-old girl who died of injuries after being brutally gang raped in a moving bus on December 16.
The initial days of the protest was spontaneous, as students turned up in Raisina Hills without any agenda. They were just angry against the government and the system that seems to be so insensitive towards their needs.