Three years after Delhi gangrape, women's safety has not improved in national capital: Activists

New Delhi: Women activists say “nothing much has changed” when it comes to safety of women in the national capital since the tragic 16 December gangrape case three years ago which shook the nation and led to a massive public outcry forcing Parliament to enact a new anti-rape law. [caption id=“attachment_2546710” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AP[/caption] “What has changed in Delhi? Do we have lesser rapes now? Has the security system been strengthened? Have the convicts of brutal gangrape been hanged? Definitely, the Nirbhaya gangrape trigerred a huge outcry but where are the results,” said Ranjana Kumari, activist and Director, Centre for Social Research. “The nation is yet to see the ‘hanging’ of the convicts and to believe the fact that the ones contributing to violence against women will be severely punished and the situation ‘changed VS not changed’ will continue till strong examples are set that the accused will not be spared,” she added. Another activist Kavita Krishnan said, “The juvenile accused is likely to walk free, that speaks volumes about the ‘change’ in the past three years. Neither there is political will nor conviction of the accused.” “Law has been made, funds have been allocated, fast track court was to hear the case but where is the implementation and where are the results that reflect a change in the society,” she added. Six persons, including a juvenile, had brutally assaulted and raped a 23-year-old girl in a moving bus in south Delhi on 16 December, 2012. The victim had succumbed to her injuries in a Singapore hospital on 29 December, 2012, plunging the country into grief. Mukesh, Vinay, Pawan and Akshay were awarded death penalty by a trial court in the gangrape and murder case which was later confirmed by Delhi High Court. Their appeals are pending before the Supreme Court. Accused Ram Singh had allegedly committed suicide in Tihar Jail on 11 March, 2013, and proceedings against him were abated following his death. The Centre had on Monday asked Delhi High Court to extend the observation home stay of the juvenile convict who is scheduled to be released on Sunday, saying several mandatory aspects were missing from the post-release rehabilitation plan which needed to be considered before setting him free. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also issued conditional summons to the Delhi chief secretary, police commissioner and the Union home secretary on Tuesday following their “failure” to produce reports on the release of juvenile convict. “Things have moved on paper, policy decisions are also being made. It is not that initiatives have not been taken but this passing of buck between the Centre and the state government is providing an edge to police as there is no accountability,” said Annie Raja, General Secretary, National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW). Various events including candlelight vigils and art exhibitions will be organised in the national capital on Wednesday as a token of remembrance for Nirbhaya. In memory of their beloved daughter and to reaffirm their lifelong commitment to improving women’s safety, the parents of the victim, in collaboration with women’s and citizens groups, will also mark the day as ‘Nirbhaya Chetna Divas’ at Jantar Mantar. PTI