Delhiites defy cops, revive anti-gangrape protests, demand extreme punishment and death for rapists

The relative calm in Delhi, that was violently imposed in the city on gangrape protesters by the police force a few days ago, has again exploded with shouts renting the air for delivering quick justice for the 23-year-old victim and the creation of a system that will deter all men with Stone Age mentality from ever thinking about trying strong-arm tactics in any sphere of life.

Scores of people today marched towards India Gate from south Delhi demanding better safety and security against the backdrop of the gangrape and brutal assault of a young girl in a moving bus 11 days ago.

Around 500 people, including girls, marched from Nizamuddin in south Delhi to India Gate but were stopped at the Zakir Hussain --Subramania Bharti Marg crossing, near India Gate, leading to traffic blockade.

The protest march came amid prohibitory orders placed in and around India Gate after the violence during protests against the gangrape.

The protesters were demanding sacking of Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, fast-tracking pending sexual assault cases, special session of Parliament for enacting strong laws against sexual offences and better security for women.

What was also noticeable were the number of young women demanding capital punishment for rape, not just 'rarest-of-rape' cases. Says Nidhima, "Till death or maiming for life punishment is not hung over the head of rapists, India is going to remain the rape capital of the world."

She was backed by her friend Seema, who insists that justice has to be delivered within weeks, if not days and that the punishment should be castration at the minimum and death in case the victim was harmed more than slightly.

These views were vociferously cheered by the hundreds of their fellow protesters.

In the meantime, Police announced that they will not be allowed to move ahead to India Gate due to prohibitory orders. They said if the protesters wished, they would ferry them in a bus to Jantar Mantar or Ramlila Maidan to continue their protest.

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