Young women attempt march to Jantar Mantar demanding safety
A group of young women attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Sunday to voice demands for improved safety and security. The march, which began at Andhra Bhavan Canteen and reached Ashoka Road, highlighted concerns over women's safety in the capital following recent incidents. The protest came a day after three women journalists accused Delhi Police officers of alleged sexual harassment while covering demonstrations near Jantar Mantar.
The march reflected broader anxieties about women's security in Delhi, particularly following the alleged gangrape of a minor girl by three men posing as police officers at a park last month. Among the protesters were Adira, a 26-year-old final-year law student from Kerala studying at Delhi University, and Ayushi, a 20-year-old DU student from Uttarakhand. Adira, who moved to Delhi in 2023, described facing restrictions during her hostel stay, including prohibitions on wearing sleeveless tops on the premises. Her parents have grown increasingly concerned for her safety since news of the alleged park incident emerged.
Ayushi expressed frustration over the burden placed on women following crimes against them, noting that classes at DU's Lady Shri Ram College had moved online following the alleged gangrape. The march also coincided with ongoing protests near Parliament Street police station, where independent journalists and other demonstrators have been demanding accountability and registration of an FIR into allegations raised by the three women journalists.
