Rahul Gandhi calls for youth protests against women's safety failures

Protest Call

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged young women and Gen Z across India to join street protests, claiming the government only acts under pressure. He stated that women across the country fear walking outside, facing harassment and rape, while authorities respond by telling them to stay home.

Specific Cases

Referring to recent crimes, Gandhi cited the rape of a 16-year-old girl near a park close to Lady Shri Ram College in South Delhi, noting that the reaction was to stop women from visiting parks at night rather than punishing the attacker. He also pointed to recent reports of rapes involving young girls in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab.

Context

Public debates over women's safety in India often resurface following high-profile crimes, drawing sharp demands from political leaders and citizens for stronger law enforcement and societal reform.