This refers to the story, “Indian rape victim dies in hospital”( Dec. 30 ). The death of the 23-year-old Indian woman who was gang-raped on a Delhi bus on Dec. 16 has sent shock waves not just in India but across the world where women have regularly been victims of such a brutal crime.
The assault on the woman and her male friend has already caused much outrage in India. The protesters are questioning the responsibility of the government and Parliament and the police in ensuring security for citizens.
For their part, young men and women in Delhi and elsewhere in India have been very clear in their demand that nothing short of exemplary punishment for the culprits who raped the woman will satisfy them. It is a demand that has been echoed by all sections of the Indian society including politicians, artistes and journalists.
Now, the death of the victim in Singapore from multiple organ failure has prompted the Indian authorities into treating the matter as one of murder.
The tragic happening raises the very broad question of how safe women are in the South Asian region as a whole. In Pakistan, the fact that women are yet subjected to brutal, degrading treatment in a society which remains feudal to the core is cause for serious worry. In Bangladesh, this particular incident and the outcry it has generated, should now serve as a wake-up call for the authorities in the country to take necessary measures toward safeguarding the lives and dignity of women.
Stories of rape and gang rape are reported regularly from the rural interior. In the urban areas, there are large numbers of women who have been groped, molested, raped and, in some cases, killed. These are happenings that are not only regrettable but also horrific in nature.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the young Indian woman. Till the end, she fought bravely against all odds, with an entire country praying for her. Her sacrifice must not go in vain. We are traumatized by such ruthless behavior of the rapists. The rapists, whoever they are, should get exemplary punishment as demanded by the youth of the country. — Naser Mullah, Riyadh
Security of women
