Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 17: Women’s groups and activists on Saturday marched to the Delhi Police Headquarters, demanding legal action against police personnel accused of sexually assaulting and harassing women and transgender protesters during demonstrations against the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Carrying placards and banners, the protesters raised slogans against the alleged sexual and gender-based violence and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.
The demonstrators assembled near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and marched towards the police headquarters to submit a memorandum seeking accountability for the alleged sexualised and gender-based violence against protesters.
In their appeal, the organisations demanded strict disciplinary and legal action against the accused personnel, stating that those found guilty must be held accountable and punished in accordance with the law.
In a statement, the groups claimed that videos, photographs and personal accounts documented alleged instances of sexual harassment and physical violence against women, transgender and non-binary protesters during police action since July 20, with reports of such incidents intensifying from October 2.
The organisations cited footage purportedly showing male police personnel assaulting women protesters and alleged that incidents of sexual violence had also taken place inside detention buses and detention centres.
A young woman journalist had also alleged that an assistant commissioner of police-rank officer grabbed her breasts. According to the organisations, when she attempted to lodge a complaint, she was detained and an FIR was registered against her and others.
"These deliberate actions by the authorities are nothing but misogynistic attempts to silence women's voices and reveal a larger intent to push us out of politics and public life," the statement said.
The groups further alleged that protesters had been subjected to casteist, communal and gender-based abuse, while accusing the authorities of failing to prevent such misconduct or take appropriate action against those responsible.
The memorandum called for action against officials found guilty and an end to impunity in cases of sexual assault. It also emphasised the right of women and gender-diverse people to participate in public and political life without fear of harassment or violence.
The protest was organised by several women's and students' organisations, including the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA), All India Mahila Sanskritik Sangathan (AIMSS), Collective, All India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA), All India Coordination Committee of Working Women (AICCWW), Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan and Purogami Mahila Sangathan.