Protests continue across Delhi against gang-rape incident

Demonstrations were held at various places in the capital, including near chief minister's residence and police headquarters, to protest against the gang-rape of a paramedical student and the government's failure to curb the rising number of such crimes against women.

Demanding stern action against the six accused, scores of protesters associated with the All India Students' Association, All India Democratic Womens' Association and other organisations staged protests in front of the residence of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and the police headquarters.

Bharatiya Janata Party's Delhi unit also staged protests at Jantar Mantar.

Protesters criticised the government for its failure to ensure a safe environment for women in the national capital.

"If we are not safe in our national capital, then where can we be safe? The government is just playing the game of passing the buck and shying away from its responsibility. The Delhi CM is saying law and order is under the home ministry and they are saying its the responsibility of the state. How long will such things will go on?" one of the protesters asked.

At Dikshit's residence, police had to use water cannon to disperse the protesters.

Earlier, demonstrations were held in front of the police headquarters against police inaction and shoddy handling of rape cases.

"The police should arrest the rapists promptly. Police patrolling needs to be increased and women should be safe. The law needs to be changed so that next time nobody can dare to commit such a heinous crime. We will meet the Delhi police commissioner and put forward our demand that such acts shouldn't happen," said Delhi State Joint Secretary of AIDWA, Kavita Sharma.

Delhi's BJP unit, during the demonstration at Jantar Mantar, demanded resignations of Dikshit and Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

Demanding strong punishment for the culprits, Mayor of East Delhi Municipal Corporation Annapurna Mishra said they should be hanged within a month.

She was also critical of the government's approach, and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

Addressing a gathering at the Jantar Mantar, she said, "This is not the first time that such an incident has happened in Delhi. They have said that the case will be held in a fast track court and there will be increased surveillance. Why were these steps not taken before?"

"These culprits should get a strong punishment which can be a lesson for others. They should be hanged within a month," Mishra demanded.

State BJP chief Vijender Gupta said the party will fight the case of the 23-year-old victim in court. He also mentioned that the victim would be given a job in the Municpal Corporation of Delhi.

Questioning why women were not safe in the national capital, national secretary of BJP's youth wing Dhvani Sharma said, "If girls in states like Gujarat can roam around without fear, why should they worry about their security in Delhi?"     

She also criticised Delhi Police commissioner Neeraj Kumar's statement -- that the offender's were on a "joyride".

"This is ridiculous, how can he say that they were on a joyride and were looking for a victim," she said.

BJP later took our a protest march towards the Parliament but they were not allowed to proceed beyond the Parliament Street police station.

Party workers, which included mainly women and girls of the youth wing, raised slogans against the government and demanded stringent action against the accused.