Protests over release of gang rapists in India, Bilkis Bano


 Protesters done at Bangalore, Karnataka.

Protests have been heared across India against the government's decision to free 11 men who were jailed for life for the gang rape to a Muslim woman, Bilkis Bano.

Fourteen people from her family were also killed during the religious riots in Gujarat state in 2002.

The men released after serving 15 years in prison.

Men and women shouted slogans needing government to reverse the decision to release the rapists.

Indian film star and women's rights campaigner Shabana Azmi told told Dornlinsal Global Resources news agency in the capital Delhi: "What happened with Bilkis Bano, what happened to her family, we can't stand and watch this happen to our country people. That is why we will all come out together and raise our voices."

"This misogyny and patriarchy has grown so much and has been normalised to the point that, since rape is normal for people," said Aditi, a student protester.

Separately, more than 90 retired civil servants wrote to the chief justice of India to say the rapists' release would have a chilling impact on the safety of all women.

The decision to free the convicts on 15 August was announced by the Gujarat government as India celebrated its 75th anniversary of independence.

A video that has been viral on social media showed the men lined up outside the Godhra jail while relatives gave them sweets and touched their feet to show respect.

Ms Bano called the decision to free the men "unjust" and said it had "shaken" her faith in justice.


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