SFI Protests Near Delhi Secretariat Over Rape Cases
SFI activists held a massive protest near the Delhi Secretariat, demanding an end to rape culture and stricter safety measures for women in the capital.
Activists from the Students' Federation of India (SFI) staged a demonstration near the Delhi Secretariat on Monday, voicing intense anger over the rising number of rape cases in the national capital. The protesters demanded immediate, strict legal action and a radical overhaul of existing women's safety protocols to protect citizens.
"Make Delhi Safe for Women!"
The protest site was filled with provocative slogans and banners that criticized the current state of affairs in the city. Placards carried by the demonstrators featured biting messages such as "Make Delhi safe for women!" and "Death to rape culture." Some protesters even used sarcasm to highlight their grievances, displaying signs that read, "Welcome to rape capital — where rape prevention = hide the women."
Mehina Fatima, the Joint Secretary of SFI Delhi, announced that the organization had prepared a comprehensive 11-point charter of demands. She stated that the group intended to submit this document directly to the Delhi Secretariat, ensuring their voice reached the highest levels of administration.
Criticism of "Anti-Women" Policies
The demonstrators did not hold back in their criticism of both the government and the Delhi Police. One protester argued that the current approach to safety is fundamentally flawed, suggesting that instead of being "anti-rape," the existing policies are effectively "anti-women."
The protesters highlighted several key issues:
- Ineffective Measures: Protesters argued that superficial measures, such as imposing curfews in public parks, do nothing to address the underlying issues.
- The Fear Factor: They pointed to the recent rape case near Lady Shri Ram College (LSR), noting that the incident caused such fear that classes were moved online because female students felt unsafe commuting.
- Police Inaction: There were serious allegations regarding the conduct of law enforcement, with protesters claiming that the police often fail to even register FIRs in such sensitive cases.
- Root Causes: The group demanded policies that tackle the "rape culture" at its source rather than merely attempting to hide women away from public spaces.
A Growing Wave of Unrest
The protest at the Secretariat follows a series of similar demonstrations across the city. Earlier on Friday, students from various Delhi University colleges had organized a protest march outside Gargi College and Kamala Nehru College. Those students were demanding justice and swift action following an alleged gang-rape incident near the Kalkaji Temple.