Justice for gang-rape victim, protesters march towards Rashtrapati Bhavan

NEW DELHI: Outraged at the gang-rape of a young student in a moving bus here, protesters hit the streets for the fifth day in a row demanding justice for the victim with a large number of women activists and students marching towards Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Demanding stringent action against rapists, protesters gathered at Rajpath, marched towards Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate while another group blocked traffic near Safdurjung Hospital where the girl is being treated.

One of the girl students, who was at Raisina Hills, managed to go near the Rashtrapati Bhavan but was escorted back later.

"They say we need permission to enter there. Why do we need permission? When we are attacked and harassed, nobody needs any permission. We are here to raise our voices and for that we need permission," the girl identified as Swati said.

Protesters under the aegis of AIDWA, NFIW, YWCA and JNUSU among others started their march from Rajpath and as they reached Vijay Chowk, they went past the barricades erected at the entrance of Raisina Hills and moved towards Rashtrapati Bhavan and South and North Blocks.

Police stopped the protesters near Rashtrapati Bhavan. Carrying placards and shouting slogans, the protesters demanded stringent punishment for rapists.

Two days ago in a similar protest, around 200 people had gathered near North Block. They dispersed only after Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde agreed to meet a delegation of JNUSU students.

The protesters at Raisina Hills later marched towards India Gate.

A group of people also staged protest outside Safdarjung Hospital and blocked traffic for sometime.

The protesters demanded speedy justice for the victim.