Post date: Aug 23, 2013 9:44:45 AM
The gang-rape of a photo journalist in her early 20s in the Indian city of Mumbai triggers disgust and outrage, evoking comparisons to a similar assault in New Delhiin December that led to nationwide protests and a revision of the country's rape laws.
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA (AUGUST 23, 2013) (ANI) - The gang-rape of a photo journalist in her early 20s in the Indian city of Mumbai triggers disgust and outrage across India on Friday (August 23), evoking comparisons to a similar assault in New Delhi in December that led to nationwide protests and a revision of the country's rape laws.
The attack on the photography intern with a lifestyle magazine on Thursday (August 22) evening caused an outcry on social media, with many users shocked that it took place in Mumbai, widely considered to be India's safest city for women.The incident has also stoked furor among people of the country and politicians.
Sonakshi Pandey, a resident of Mumbai, said that after the incident she does not feel safe in her own city.
"We have always prided ourselves for living in a very safe city. But nowadays what is happening is not understandable to me; what is going through people's minds when they behave like this towards women, towards children, towards other people. So is it because there are too many people in the city?" said Pandey.
The victim has been admitted to hospital in south Mumbai, police said.
Nobody has been arrested so far but over a dozen men were detained for investigation on late Thursday evening.
Police have released the sketches of the accused based on the information given by the male colleague of the victim.
Najma Heptulla, a leader of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, blamed the poor law and order situation of the country for the spurt in such incidents.
"Nobody is safe, I don't know what's happening; there is no fear of law in the minds of people because they don't get punished. They get away with it," said Heptulla.
The attack took place in an abandoned textile mill in Lower Parel, a former industrial district that is now one of the city's fastest-growing neighbourhoods of luxury apartments, malls and bars. The woman was out on assignment with a male colleague.
Meanwhile, a leader of anti-graft, Aam Admi Party, Shazia Alvi, said that more than anything, it was important to understand the mentality and psychology of people who committed such heinous crimes which have made it difficult for a woman to step out of her house.
"We say that women should step out of their houses and parents should allow their daughters to do the same but how will someone have the courage to step out? Till when will women live under fear? She is a photojournalist; it's her job to shoot whether it is day or night. So will any girl work if such fear prevails?" said a shocked Alvi.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh said the victim and her colleague were attacked while they were clicking pictures. Two men approached her asking if she had permission to shoot and another man joined in.
The perpetrators used lewd language and harassed the girl while bashing her friend who tried to intervene.
A leader of Hindu Radical outfit Shiv Sena, Sanjay Raut, said that although Mumbai was a safe city, the intrusion of Bangladeshi workers in the city and creation of more slums was responsible for the increased crimes.
"The intrusion of Bangladeshis has increased the most in the city but there is no record of the same. Illegal constructions and slums have also increased and that is why the crime rate has increased. But all of these communities get political support for the vote bank," said Raut.
Women's safety in India has been in the spotlight this year following the brutal gang-rape of a 23-year-old student on a moving bus in New Delhi in December, which led thousands of Indians to take to the streets in protest. The woman died of her injuries two weeks later in a Singapore hospital.
The trials of the four men and one juvenile accused of the December attack are expected to conclude within the next three weeks. The verdict on the juvenile suspect is due to be passed on Aug 31. Closing arguments in the trial of the four adult suspects started on Thursday.