New Delhi: The Congress on Friday hold protest across the country, demanding justice for the victims. [caption id=“attachment_4426885” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] Sources said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has asked party cadres to organise similar protests on Friday in support of protection of women. They said party general secretary (organisation) Ashok Gehlot has told all state Congress chiefs to galvanise the cadres in each state and stage candle-light marches at all state and district headquarters. Gandhi had led a midnight march to the India Gate in the national capital last night asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save and protect the girl child. The Congress has upped the ante against the government over alleged inaction in the Kathua and Unnao rape cases. A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Senger last year in Uttar Pradesh. The incident came to light when she attempted to immolate herself outside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth’s residence in Lucknow. In Jammu and Kashmir, an eight-year-old girl had disappeared from near her home in a village near Kathua on 10 January. Her body was found in the same area a week later. The chargesheet in the case had revealed chilling details about how she was allegedly kidnapped, drugged, raped inside a place of worship before being killed. The Opposition party has also alleged that the accused were being “protected” by the authorities concerned. Gandhi, amid slogans against the BJP and the prime minister during the march last night, had claimed that the women of the country are afraid to go out and the government must ensure their safety. He said Modi’s silence over the rising atrocities against women was “unacceptable” and that India was waiting for him to speak up.
Congress march highlights: Party holds nationwide protest, seeks justice in Kathua, Unnao rape cases
The Congress is seeking to take forward the protest against the Kathua and Unnao rape cases and has asked its cadres at state and district headquarters to stage similar demonstrations across the country
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Armed with placards, Congress workers in Raipur stage protest
Chhattisgarh Congress workers hold candle light march at Raipur
देश में महिलाओं पर बढ़ते अत्याचार के विरोध में प्रदेश अध्यक्ष भूपेश बघेल एवं नेता प्रतिपक्ष टीएस सिंहदेव के नेतृत्व में सांय सात बजे रायपुर में कांग्रेस भवन से जय स्तंभ चौक तक पैदल कैंडल मार्च निकाला जाएगा। सो रहे चौकीदार को तो अब बोलना ही होगा। #SpeakUp #IndiaMarchForJustice
— INC Chhattisgarh (@INCChhattisgarh) April 13, 2018
If women are suppressed, it is a blatant attack on the spirit of democracy: Ashok Gehlot
Our President Sh #RahulGandhi is a firm believer in empowerment for the other half of the population, If women are suppressed, it is a blatant attack on the spirit of democracy. Our party draws inspiration from his thoughts, and from the time-tested ideals of the Congress party.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) April 13, 2018
Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken announces protest schedule
आज रात को १० बजे, हर ज़िले में उन्नाव एवं कठुआ में रेप के विरोध में, एवं सरकार तथा भाजपा की, जुर्म में संलिप्तता के विरोध में कैंडल लाईट मार्च करेंगे!
— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) April 13, 2018
ट्वीट में सलग्न हैं, ज़िला-वार, एकत्र होने के स्थान-कृप्या शामिल हों! pic.twitter.com/xmqh1TIoQw
Kathua and Unnao rape cases cannot be termed normal: Congress
Speaking to the press earlier today, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi noted that the Kathua and Unnao incidents cannot be termed as “normal cases” and said these have shamed the nation.
The BJP cannot belittle the fight of women for equality and dignity, the party said.
Narendra Modi breaks silence on rape cases
In his first comments on the gruesome incidents of rape in Unnao and Kathua, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that no criminal will be spared and daughters will get justice. He said such incidents shake our sensibilities.
Congress workers holding candle light march in Indore
Congress workers holding candle light march in Bhopal
Congress workers holding candle light march at Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh Mahila Congress president Mandhavi Chouhan and other Congress leaders Mahendra Singh Chouhan and district president PC Sharma at candle light rally in Bhopal.
Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders holding candle march in Bhopal
Youth Congress workers hold candle light march at Mumbai’s Dadar
Mumbai Youth Congress Candle March at Dadar Station, to #SpeakUp against the brutal #UnnaoRapeCase & #KathuaRapeCase . pic.twitter.com/OtjEv3p15a
— Mumbai Youth Congress (@IYC_Mumbai) April 13, 2018
Congress to hold candle light march in Bhubaneswar
Kindly join us in the “Candle Light March” to protest against increasing atrocities on women in the country at 8 PM tonight (13.04.18) from Congress Bhawan,Master Canteen Square, #Bhubaneswar
— Odisha Congress (@INCOdisha) April 13, 2018
- @prasadHofficial pic.twitter.com/tU4SMSkr4a
Congress to hold candle light march at Indore today
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Arun Yadav along with PCC secretary Sanjay Kapur will hold a candle light March at Indore from Gandhi Hall to Gandhi Statue at Regal Chowraha. It will begin at 7 pm.
Candle March in respective state capitals will begin after the sunset and it becomes dark.
Congress continues protest over rising crimes against women in the country
Congress national spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi told Firstpost, “Taking a cue from yesterday’s midnight candle light March in New Delhi from AICC HQ to India Gate led by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, the Pradesh Congress Committees in states will also hold candle light march.”
Madhya Pradesh Congress to hold protest in Bhopal at 7 pm today
The Pradesh Congress Committee of Madhya Pradesh will hold a candle light March at Prabhat Chowk in Bhopal. Several Congress workers especially the youth have started gathering at PCC office ‘Indira Bhawan’ in Bhopal. Many will join the rally near Prabhat Chowk.
Congress ups the ante against the govt
The party has upped the ante against the government over alleged inaction in the Kathua and Unnao rape cases. On Thursday, party president Rahul Gandhi led a midnight march to the India Gate in Delhi asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save and protect the girl child.
Gandhi, amid slogans against the BJP and the prime minister during the march, had claimed that the women of the country are afraid to go out and the government must ensure their safety.
Congress to stage nationwide protests today
Congress will take forward the protest march against the Kathua and Unnao rape cases and has asked its cadres at state and district headquarters to stage similar demonstrations across the country on Friday, demanding justice for the victims.
The party general secretary (organisation) Ashok Gehlot has told all state Congress chiefs to galvanise the cadres in each state and stage candle-light marches at all state and district headquarters.
Midnight march snapshots
Congress President Rahul Gandhi led a massive crowd to India Gate at midnight demanding justice in the #Kathua and #Unnao rape cases #IndiaMarchForJustice pic.twitter.com/iJRaEbm21m
— Congress (@INCIndia) April 12, 2018
At Rahul Gandhi’s midnight march, the 2019 shadow looms
Take-away from #IndiaMarchForJustice - @RahulGandhi stole a march over the BJP by hitting the road. If the citizens join in to sustain the movement, could be a defining moment before 2019 #JusticeforAsifa pic.twitter.com/vexpRpnMSv
— Niha Masih (@NihaMasih) April 12, 2018
Rahul Gandhi makes his way back home Friday morning
Rahul Gandhi tears into BJP for Unnao and Kathua horror and then leaves India Gate around 1:30 am Friday
“This is not a political issue but a national issue. This is related to atrocities against women. Government should come forward and do something for women’s safety. Here, common man and representatives of different parties have gathered seeking justice for victims."
“We’ll have to save our daughters from this government”: Congress spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi
What happened in Kathua is beyond humanity: Rahul Gandhi at India Gate
“What happened in Kathua is beyond humanity, an 8 year old innocent was kidnapped, brutally raped by many men, including a juvenile and tortured till she died. This defies all human values we have grown with as a society.
This brutality instead of being punished is actually being shielded. We absolutely condemn this and hope BJP wakes up to its commitment to the people of the nation and ensures stringent punishment is meted out to the perpetrators of the crime.
We see similarly how in Unnao an underage girl was allegedly raped by elected representative of the BJP and members of his family. Instead of ensuring justice was done to the victim, we have seen how ger family has been threatened and silenced by the accused.
The father of the victim was beaten to death in judicial custody. Only an outrage led to action from Adityanath government. In both the cases we seek immediate action against the accused and allowing justice to prevail even if it involves those who hold positions of power”.
BJP government’s Beti Bachao tag line becomes the night’s marquee poster
“We’ll have the wake up the government”: Ghulam Nabi Azad
The govt is sleeping & so at this time Congress will have to wake them up. PM had given a slogan 'Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao' & it's in his regime that our girls are being raped. He isn't taking action against his ministers who are trying to save the rape accused: Ghulam Nabi Azad pic.twitter.com/PtfZkFlbSB
— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2018
Dressed in an indigo kurta, Priyanka Vadra joins her brother at India Gate; Robert Vadra is there too.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra & Robert Vadra arrive for the candlelight march at India Gate against Kathua & Unnao cases. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/Gn1CKVq5jb
— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2018
Crowds moving from Congress HQ to India Gate; Priyanka Vadra joins Rahul Gandhi for candlelight march
Let us march or we’ll sit here all night: Priyanka Vadra
#RahulMidnightMarch Priyanka Gandhi along with daughter & husband join the march. "Why is the media stopping us from reaching India Gate. Stay quiet. Remember what you've come here for. Let us march or we'll sit here all night," says Priyanka to supportershttps://t.co/rqBrS6zmuq pic.twitter.com/4udXgLZUh3
— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 12, 2018
Rahul Gandhi arrives at India Gate, accompanied by Ashok Gehlot and party cadre
Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi comes to Rahul Gandhi’s defence on Twitter
RG was and is with the family of Nirbhaya, I am sure you would have got to know her family's view.
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) April 12, 2018
However, I am sure you seek justice for 8 year old Asifa AND Unnao's CV 16 year old braveheart & just as much as you did for Nirbhaya like all Indians. 🙏 https://t.co/m4fnsyKLhI
This is a protest against Modi government: Priyanka Chaturvedi
“This candle March is to raise a voice of protest against Modi government and create awareness amongst people about the atrocities and injustice in the country, and how the government is maintaining silence and not taking action against the accused,” Congress spokesperson Chaturvedi told Firstpost.
Save the girl child or the rapist?
Congress leader Digvijay Singh walks in front of a poster that takes on the BJP government’s ‘Beti Bachao’ push – “Beti bachao ya balaatkaari bachao?”
Fresh visuals en route India Gate from 24 Akbar Road
Sanjay Nirupam: “Unnao and Kathua rape cases are a shame”
