Justice for Hathras gang-rape victim: Struggle to continue till Uttar Pradesh CM resigns, says Chandrashekhar Azad
“The UP government has no right to stay in power. Our demand is that justice should be served,” Yechury said.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets on Friday evening demanding justice for the gang-rape victim of Hathras — an incident that has shaken the conscience of the nation. On Thursday night, Delhi Police clarified that no assembly would be permitted at the India Gate as CrPc section 144 has been imposed barring gathering of more than four people. However, gathering is permitted at Jantar Mantar.
Accordingly, the Aam Aadmi Party changed the venue of their pre-scheduled protest rally from the India Gate to Jantar Mantar. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also likely to join the protest. CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI leader D Raja have already joined the protest. “The UP government has no right to stay in power. Our demand is that justice should be served,” Yechury said.
Watch | Hathras case: Kejriwal, Bhim Army chief join Delhi protesters demanding justice
“I will visit Hathras. Our struggle will continue till the time UP CM doesn’t resign and justice is served. I urge the Supreme Court to take cognisance of the incident,” Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad said.
Security has been tightened around the India Gate as the protests are in the vicinity.
Apart from the AAP, Bhim Army too had a scheduled protest at the India Gate on Friday. Instead of gathering at the India gate at 5pm, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad asked his supporters to assemble at Jantar Mantar. “Like a dictator, the police has closed down the entire India Gate, showing dictatorship. But we will not let the demand for justice be weakened. Modi ji will have to answer ,” the Bhim Army chief tweeted.
In a video message posted earlier in the day, Azad said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi needed to break his silence over the brutal rape of the woman. “The PM washes the feet of Dalits before elections but remains quiet when a Dalit daughter of Uttar Pradesh is brutally raped. We will organise a protest at India Gate at 5pm today. The PM will have to give us answers,” he said.
The Bhim Army chief had also led a protest at Gate Number 5 of Safdarjung Hospital on Tuesday, soon after the victim was declared dead. On Wednesday, Azad was put under house arrest by local police in Saharanpur, where he started a “dharna”.
