IYC, NSUI hold candle march in Delhi seeking justice for 16-year-old rape victim

The IYC and NSUI held a candle march in New Delhi demanding speedy justice for a 16-year-old girl allegedly gang-raped inside a moving bus. Youth and student activists sought a transparent investigation, accountability, victim support and stringent action against those responsible

New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) on Thursday held a candle march in the national capital, demanding speedy justice for the 16-year-old girl, who was raped in a moving bus last month. Youth and student activists participated in the march carrying candles and placards and raising slogans demanding justice and accountability from the authorities.

IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib said the protest was a demonstration of solidarity with the victim and her family. “The authorities must ensure a fair, transparent and time-bound investigation and take the strictest possible legal action against everyone found responsible,” he said. Chib said women’s safety and dignity could not be reduced to political slogans and demanded protection and support for the victim and her family.

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NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar said students and young people had a responsibility to speak out against crimes against women. “The candle we hold today is not a symbol of silence; it is a symbol of solidarity and resistance. We demand accountability, a transparent investigation and speedy justice for the victim,” he said. The two organisations said they would continue to raise the issue until justice was delivered and reiterated their demand for stringent action against those responsible.

The harrowing gang-rape of the minor inside a moving private sleeper bus on August 4 has reignited public outrage over women’s safety in the Delhi-NCR region, drawing stark comparisons to the tragic 2012 Nirbhaya case.