The survivor of the horrific Unnao rape case met with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Wednesday. This meeting came just a day after the Delhi High Court suspended the life sentence of the convict, former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar.
A Plea for Justice and High-Level Meetings
Speaking to the media after her meeting, the survivor expressed her desire to also meet President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She aims to highlight her ongoing struggle for justice and the perceived threats to her safety.
The woman, who was a minor when Sengar committed the crime in June 2017, met Gandhi hours after the Congress leader posted on social media platform X. In his post, Gandhi strongly condemned the manhandling of the survivor by security forces at Delhi’s India Gate, where she was protesting the grant of bail to Sengar.
Political Condemnation and Social Commentary
In his post, Rahul Gandhi posed pointed questions: "Is such treatment of a gang rape survivor appropriate? Is it her 'fault' that she has the courage to raise her voice for justice?" He described the bail for the perpetrator as "extremely disappointing and shameful," especially given the survivor's continued harassment and life under fear.
Gandhi further added, "Bail for rapists and treating survivors like criminals—what kind of justice is this? We are not just becoming a dead economy—with such inhuman incidents, we are also turning into a dead society. The survivor deserves respect, safety and justice -- not helplessness, fear, and injustice."
Survivor's Resolve and Legal Battle Ahead
Earlier, reacting to the High Court's decision, the survivor had described it as 'kaal (death)' for her family. Demonstrating unwavering resolve, she has declared that she will challenge the bail order in the Supreme Court of India. Her fight for legal recourse continues despite the setback from the Delhi High Court.
The case continues to be a focal point for discussions on justice for sexual assault survivors, the accountability of powerful individuals, and the challenges within the legal system. The survivor's quest for meetings with the country's top leadership underscores her demand for systemic attention to her plight and the broader issue of safety for women.
