Delhi Gangrape: Lukewarm response to Bharat Bandh, Black Day

New

, Jan 3:

, which was called by protesters in Delhi, received lukewarm response from the country men on Thursday, Jan 3. The bandh was called over the burning issue of Delhi gang-rape demanding justice for the 23-year-old girl who was raped and assaulted by six men in the national capital on Dec 16.

Braving the winter chill, protesters at Jantar Mantar continue their agitation demanding speedy trial and capital punishment to the six accused. However, the low response to the bandh might have disappointed them.

It seems that the protesters' decisions of not allowing any political parties to join the bandh left its effect on the bandh. There were no disruption on transportation in the country. All schools, colleges, offices remained open.

Similar kind of responses were received for black day. The protesters in the national capital also had announced that they would observe Jan 3 as "Kaala Diwas" (black day).

One of the protesters at Jantar Mantar was quoted as saying, "We do not need any help from political parties to ensure that people observe it. Everyone who supports the cause will observe it."

Another protester feared that the protest will slowly die down as number of people at the protest venues have been decreasing day by day. The supporter of the bandh was quoted as saying, "When the protests began on December 17, everyone participated fiercely. Now fewer people come each day. At this rate, the movement will lose steam in no time. People, especially students, need to understand the importance of the cause and come here every day."

Earlier Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) postponed its examinations which were scheduled to be held on Thursday. An official circular of the university says, "In view of the Bharat Bandh called by various organisations on 3rd January, 2013, two examinations to be conducted by VTU on Jan 7 and Jan 21."

OneIndia News