Women activists march to Delhi Police HQ, demand action

New Delhi: Demanding action against police personnel accused of sexually assaulting and harassing women and transgender protesters, women activists on Saturday took to the streets of the national capital, raising slogans of "You can threaten us, but you cannot silence us".

Carrying placards and banners, the protesters marched towards the Delhi Police Headquarters, calling for accountability over alleged sexual and gender-based violence during demonstrations against the Election Commission of India (ECI). Among the placards held aloft was one reading, "Mahilae maangti har tarah ke shoshan daman se mukti" (Women demand freedom from all forms of exploitation and oppression), as the demonstrators demanded an end to what they described as police repression and violence against women and gender-diverse people.

The march began near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, with the protesters heading towards the police headquarters to submit a memorandum seeking strict disciplinary and legal action against personnel accused of misconduct.

A delegation of feminist, queer and women's groups later met Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagdev Singh after protesters blocked the road, a group member said on X. They demanded action against alleged violence targeting women, queer people and protesters. In a statement, the organisations said videos, photographs and personal accounts documented alleged sexual harassment and physical violence against women, transgender and non-binary protesters during police action since July 20, with reports intensifying from October 2. They cited footage purportedly showing male police personnel assaulting women and alleged sexual violence inside detention buses and centres. A young woman journalist also alleged that an assistant commissioner of police-rank officer grabbed her breasts. The groups claimed she was detained and an FIR registered against her and others when she attempted to file a complaint.

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The Hans India