In a significant show of solidarity, multiple social and student organizations took to the streets of Ranchi on Monday, voicing strong support for the Unnao rape survivor and condemning what they termed as government indifference towards crimes against women.
Protest at Albert Ekka Chowk
The demonstration was held at the prominent Albert Ekka Chowk in the city. Participants from various groups united under a common demand for justice and stricter enforcement of laws to protect women across the nation.
Coalition of Groups Speaks Out
The protest saw participation from a coalition of organizations, including the Adivasi Women’s Network, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, All India Students’ Association, and the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA). Together, they raised slogans with three core demands:
- Securing justice for the Unnao rape survivor.
- Cancellation of bail granted to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar, an accused in the case.
- Implementation of stringent rules to prevent such crimes nationwide.
Supreme Court Intervenes in Bail Order
The protest coincided with a crucial legal development. On the same day, the Supreme Court of India stayed the Delhi High Court's December 23 order that had granted bail to Kuldeep Sengar. This judicial action provided a critical backdrop to the demonstrators' demands.
Nandita Bhattacharya, a leader of AIPWA, addressed the gathering. She linked the rise in exploitation and rape of women to the tenure of the BJP-led government at the Centre. "In the Unnao case, the affected girl is being treated brutally," she stated.
While acknowledging the Supreme Court's intervention on the bail, Bhattacharya posed a poignant question about accessibility to justice: "How many women can fight their cases up to the apex court?" Her remark highlighted the systemic challenges faced by survivors in lengthy legal battles.
A Vow to Challenge the Status Quo
The protestors sent a strong political message, declaring that the daughters of India would no longer remain silent. They vowed to work towards ending what they described as a "Manuwadi" government, a term often used to critique policies perceived as rooted in patriarchal and discriminatory traditional laws.
The Ranchi protest underscores the continuing national outrage over the Unnao case and reflects the persistent public pressure on both the judicial system and the government to ensure accountability and deliver swift justice for survivors of sexual violence.
