<p>A freedom march was organised by Jawaharlal University’s students on Republic Day where over a thousand people, including students, activists and commoners, marched from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The organisers initially had a tough time getting permission from the police as a group of people had planned to protest on Republic Day in the capital for the first time. <br /><br />Police told them as they were busy with the Republic Day parade, they could not clear the roads and provide their force. So JNU students decided to wait till 3 pm to start the march. <br /><br />People shouted slogans and sang songs for a better judicial system in the country. <br /><br />“At this point of time when a gruesome rape incident has been highlighted and shaken the youth we would like to continue with our efforts to pressurise the government to make required changes in the country’s legal system,” said Anna Verghese, a PhD student from JNU. The placards carried slogans like “Shame on Republic for shielding the rapists,” “Arrest rapists and try them in civil courts,” “Implement Justice Verma’s recommendations,” and “Freedom without fear” among others on them. <br /><br />“We even want section 377 (of Indian Penal Code covering a sexual act in private between consenting adults) to be scrapped to protect the right of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community) people,” said Rituraj, an MA student from JNU.<br /><br />Om Prakash from All India Students’ Association (AISA), JNU, said, “We need efficient, accountable and transparent laws to ensure safety of women and justice for those who are being victimised.”<br />Several activists were also seen addressing the gathering. <br /><br />Kavita Krishnan from All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) said, “We have a petition revolving around which demands scrapping of the two finger test for rape. This movement needs to move forward. Also, we should do away with talks of worshipping women and encourage young men and others to respect women.” <br /><br />Later, they gave away mock awards to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi and spiritual leader Asaram Bapu for passing derogatory statements against women.<br /><br />They also presented award to Ankit Garg, a Chhattisgarh cadre police officer, who was given the gallantry award despite his involvement in the case of sexual abuse of Soni Suri, a schoolteacher.<br /><br />Apart from the march cum protest by the university, there were several other protests held at Jantar Mantar against rape incidents. Women from Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan sought that army personnel should be punished for all crimes, especially rape.</p>
<p>A freedom march was organised by Jawaharlal University’s students on Republic Day where over a thousand people, including students, activists and commoners, marched from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The organisers initially had a tough time getting permission from the police as a group of people had planned to protest on Republic Day in the capital for the first time. <br /><br />Police told them as they were busy with the Republic Day parade, they could not clear the roads and provide their force. So JNU students decided to wait till 3 pm to start the march. <br /><br />People shouted slogans and sang songs for a better judicial system in the country. <br /><br />“At this point of time when a gruesome rape incident has been highlighted and shaken the youth we would like to continue with our efforts to pressurise the government to make required changes in the country’s legal system,” said Anna Verghese, a PhD student from JNU. The placards carried slogans like “Shame on Republic for shielding the rapists,” “Arrest rapists and try them in civil courts,” “Implement Justice Verma’s recommendations,” and “Freedom without fear” among others on them. <br /><br />“We even want section 377 (of Indian Penal Code covering a sexual act in private between consenting adults) to be scrapped to protect the right of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community) people,” said Rituraj, an MA student from JNU.<br /><br />Om Prakash from All India Students’ Association (AISA), JNU, said, “We need efficient, accountable and transparent laws to ensure safety of women and justice for those who are being victimised.”<br />Several activists were also seen addressing the gathering. <br /><br />Kavita Krishnan from All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) said, “We have a petition revolving around which demands scrapping of the two finger test for rape. This movement needs to move forward. Also, we should do away with talks of worshipping women and encourage young men and others to respect women.” <br /><br />Later, they gave away mock awards to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi and spiritual leader Asaram Bapu for passing derogatory statements against women.<br /><br />They also presented award to Ankit Garg, a Chhattisgarh cadre police officer, who was given the gallantry award despite his involvement in the case of sexual abuse of Soni Suri, a schoolteacher.<br /><br />Apart from the march cum protest by the university, there were several other protests held at Jantar Mantar against rape incidents. Women from Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan sought that army personnel should be punished for all crimes, especially rape.</p>
