(December
29, 2012, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) A grieving India's spontaneous outpouring of
grief and pain at the death of a 23-year-old medical student who had was
gang-raped and battered on a moving bus in Delhi, found many forms today.
Some
people lit candles, some lay with black bands across their mouths, some marched
in neat single files holding banners and placards. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi
pledged to use all the power that laws and administration allow her "for
the safety and protection of all women of our country and to ensure swift and
fitting punishment for the perpetrators of such brutal act" to ensure that
the fight of the nation's "beloved daughter" would not be in vain.
Among
the many statements issued by political leaders today were those from the
number 1 and number 2 of the ruling Congress, mother and son, Sonia Gandhi and
Rahul Gandhi. Mrs Gandhi first commented on the case yesterday; till today, her
son had not remarked at all on the student who has been the main focal point of
the country's attention for two weeks.
"As
a woman, as a mother I understand how you feel. I appeal to you to remain calm
and help strengthen our collective resolve to fight the menace of violence
against women," Mrs Gandhi said in a rare televised address.
"We
pledge that she will get justice and her fight will not have been in
vain," she said.
Mrs
Gandhi also sought to address the criticism that the government her party leads
has been unresponsive to the massive protests that have engulfed India. She
said, "To all of you who have stood vigil, who have expressed your anger
and anguish publicly, who have poured out support, I want to assure you that
your voice has been heard."
Rahul
Gandhi's message was shorter, issued via a statement from his office, and rang
clinical. "My heart goes out to the family of the young girl and millions
of young Indians and their families who work, hope and pray for a better India.
We as a nation must reflect on the events of the days gone by. As citizens, we
must resolve to respect the dignity of women and follow the laws of the
land. I join my mother and sister in
offering deep-felt condolences to the young girl's family. My thoughts and
prayers are with the family," he said.
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