Congress march highlights: Party holds nationwide protest, seeks justice in Kathua, Unnao rape cases

Chhattisgarh Congress workers hold candle light march at Raipur

देश में महिलाओं पर बढ़ते अत्याचार के विरोध में प्रदेश अध्यक्ष भूपेश बघेल एवं नेता प्रतिपक्ष टीएस सिंहदेव के नेतृत्व में सांय सात बजे रायपुर में कांग्रेस भवन से जय स्तंभ चौक तक पैदल कैंडल मार्च निकाला जाएगा। सो रहे चौकीदार को तो अब बोलना ही होगा। #SpeakUp #IndiaMarchForJustice

— INC Chhattisgarh (@INCChhattisgarh) April 13, 2018

If women are suppressed, it is a blatant attack on the spirit of democracy: Ashok Gehlot

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Our President Sh #RahulGandhi is a firm believer in empowerment for the other half of the population, If women are suppressed, it is a blatant attack on the spirit of democracy. Our party draws inspiration from his thoughts, and from the time-tested ideals of the Congress party.

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) April 13, 2018

Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken announces protest schedule 
 

आज रात को १० बजे, हर ज़िले में उन्नाव एवं कठुआ में रेप के विरोध में, एवं सरकार तथा भाजपा की, जुर्म में संलिप्तता के विरोध में कैंडल लाईट मार्च करेंगे!

ट्वीट में सलग्न हैं, ज़िला-वार, एकत्र होने के स्थान-कृप्या शामिल हों! pic.twitter.com/xmqh1TIoQw

— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) April 13, 2018

Kathua and Unnao rape cases cannot be termed normal: Congress

Speaking to the press earlier today, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi noted that the Kathua and Unnao incidents cannot be termed as “normal cases” and said these have shamed the nation.

The BJP cannot belittle the fight of women for equality and dignity, the party said.

Narendra Modi breaks silence on rape cases

In his first comments on the gruesome incidents of rape in Unnao and Kathua, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that no criminal will be spared and daughters will get justice. He said such incidents shake our sensibilities.

Congress workers holding candle light march in Indore

Congress workers holding candle light march in Bhopal 

Congress workers holding candle light march at Bhopal

Madhya Pradesh Mahila Congress president Mandhavi Chouhan and other Congress leaders Mahendra Singh Chouhan and district president PC Sharma at candle light rally in Bhopal.

Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders holding candle march in Bhopal

Youth Congress workers hold candle light march at Mumbai’s Dadar

Mumbai Youth Congress Candle March at Dadar Station, to #SpeakUp against the brutal #UnnaoRapeCase & #KathuaRapeCase . pic.twitter.com/OtjEv3p15a

— Mumbai Youth Congress (@IYC_Mumbai) April 13, 2018

Congress to hold candle light march in Bhubaneswar 

Kindly join us in the “Candle Light March” to protest against increasing atrocities on women in the country at 8 PM tonight (13.04.18) from Congress Bhawan,Master Canteen Square, #Bhubaneswar

- @prasadHofficial pic.twitter.com/tU4SMSkr4a

— Odisha Congress (@INCOdisha) April 13, 2018

Congress to hold candle light march at Indore today

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Arun Yadav along with PCC secretary Sanjay Kapur will hold a candle light March at Indore from Gandhi Hall to Gandhi Statue at Regal Chowraha. It will begin at 7 pm.

Candle March in respective state capitals will begin after the sunset and it becomes dark.

Congress holds protest at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan

Congress continues protest over rising crimes against women in the country

Congress national spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi told Firstpost, “Taking a cue from yesterday’s midnight candle light March in New Delhi from AICC HQ to India Gate led by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, the Pradesh Congress Committees in states will also hold candle light march.”

Madhya Pradesh Congress to hold protest in Bhopal at 7 pm today

The Pradesh Congress Committee of Madhya Pradesh will hold a candle light March at Prabhat Chowk in Bhopal. Several Congress workers especially the youth have started gathering at PCC office ‘Indira Bhawan’ in Bhopal. Many will join the rally near Prabhat Chowk.

Congress ups the ante against the govt

The party has upped the ante against the government over alleged inaction in the Kathua and Unnao rape cases. On Thursday, party president Rahul Gandhi led a midnight march to the India Gate in Delhi asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save and protect the girl child.

Gandhi, amid slogans against the BJP and the prime minister during the march, had claimed that the women of the country are afraid to go out and the government must ensure their safety.

Congress to stage nationwide protests today

Congress will take forward the protest march against the Kathua and Unnao rape cases and has asked its cadres at state and district headquarters to stage similar demonstrations across the country on Friday, demanding justice for the victims.

The party general secretary (organisation) Ashok Gehlot has told all state Congress chiefs to galvanise the cadres in each state and stage candle-light marches at all state and district headquarters.

Updates for 13 April start from here

Midnight march snapshots

Congress President Rahul Gandhi led a massive crowd to India Gate at midnight demanding justice in the #Kathua and #Unnao rape cases #IndiaMarchForJustice pic.twitter.com/iJRaEbm21m

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 12, 2018

At Rahul Gandhi’s midnight march, the 2019 shadow looms

Take-away from #IndiaMarchForJustice - @RahulGandhi stole a march over the BJP by hitting the road. If the citizens join in to sustain the movement, could be a defining moment before 2019 #JusticeforAsifa pic.twitter.com/vexpRpnMSv

— Niha Masih (@NihaMasih) April 12, 2018

Rahul Gandhi makes his way back home Friday morning

Rahul Gandhi tears into BJP for Unnao and Kathua horror and then leaves India Gate around 1:30 am Friday 

“This is not a political issue but a national issue. This is related to atrocities against women. Government should come forward and do something for women’s safety. Here, common man and representatives of different parties have gathered seeking justice for victims."

“We’ll have to save our daughters from this government”: Congress spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi

What happened in Kathua is beyond humanity: Rahul Gandhi at India Gate

“What happened in Kathua is beyond humanity, an 8 year old innocent was kidnapped, brutally raped by many men, including a juvenile and tortured till she died. This defies all human values we have grown with as a society. 

This brutality instead of being  punished is actually being shielded. We absolutely condemn this and hope BJP wakes up to its commitment to the people of the nation and ensures stringent punishment is meted out to the perpetrators of the crime. 

We see similarly how in Unnao an underage girl was allegedly raped by elected representative of the BJP and members of his family. Instead of ensuring justice was done to the victim, we have seen how ger family has been threatened and silenced by the accused. 

The father of the victim was beaten to death in judicial custody. Only an outrage led to action from Adityanath government. In both the cases we seek immediate action against the accused and allowing justice to prevail even if it involves those who hold positions of power”.

BJP government’s Beti Bachao tag line becomes the night’s marquee poster

“We’ll have the wake up the government”: Ghulam Nabi Azad

The govt is sleeping & so at this time Congress will have to wake them up. PM had given a slogan 'Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao' & it's in his regime that our girls are being raped. He isn't taking action against his ministers who are trying to save the rape accused: Ghulam Nabi Azad pic.twitter.com/PtfZkFlbSB

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2018

Dressed in an indigo kurta, Priyanka Vadra joins her brother at India Gate; Robert Vadra is there too.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra & Robert Vadra arrive for the candlelight march at India Gate against Kathua & Unnao cases. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/Gn1CKVq5jb

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2018

Crowds moving from Congress HQ to India Gate; Priyanka Vadra joins Rahul Gandhi for candlelight march

Some female reporters have been roughed up by Congress workers, say Firstpost reporters on location.

Let us march or we’ll sit here all night: Priyanka Vadra

#RahulMidnightMarch Priyanka Gandhi along with daughter & husband join the march. "Why is the media stopping us from reaching India Gate. Stay quiet. Remember what you've come here for. Let us march or we'll sit here all night," says Priyanka to supportershttps://t.co/rqBrS6zmuq pic.twitter.com/4udXgLZUh3

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 12, 2018

Just in: Priyanka Gandhi will be joining Rahul Gandhi at India Gate

Rahul Gandhi arrives at India Gate, accompanied by Ashok Gehlot and party cadre

Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi comes to Rahul Gandhi’s defence on Twitter

RG was and is with the family of Nirbhaya, I am sure you would have got to know her family's view.
However, I am sure you seek justice for 8 year old Asifa AND Unnao's CV 16 year old braveheart & just as much as you did for Nirbhaya like all Indians. 🙏 https://t.co/m4fnsyKLhI

— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) April 12, 2018

This is a protest against Modi government: Priyanka Chaturvedi

“This candle March is to raise a voice of protest against Modi government and create awareness amongst people about the atrocities and injustice in the country, and how the government is maintaining silence and not taking action against the accused,” Congress spokesperson Chaturvedi told Firstpost. 

Save the girl child or the rapist? 

Congress leader Digvijay Singh walks in front of a poster that takes on the BJP government’s ‘Beti Bachao’ push – “Beti bachao ya balaatkaari bachao?”

Fresh visuals en route India Gate from 24 Akbar Road

Supporters moving from Congress party office towards India Gate. Rahul Gandhi is not part of this crowd.

Huge police force deployed for Rahul Gandhi candlelight march in New Delhi.

Sanjay Nirupam: “Unnao and Kathua rape cases are a shame”

Congress social media chief tweets hashtag for candlelight march

India mourns it’s daughters, #IndiaMarchForJustice

— Ramya/Divya Spandana (@divyaspandana) April 12, 2018

Congress leaders gather at 24 Akbar Road

We’ve not been asked for permission ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s candlelight march: Delhi Police

Ghulam Nabi Azad reaches 24 Akbar Road ahead of Rahul Gandhi candlelight march

Scene outside Congress HQ at 24 Akbar Road in New Delhi

“Shaken to my core”: Anushka Sharma

The cruelest form of evil is harming an innocent child. What is happening to the world we live in??? These people should be given the most severe punishment there is! Where are we heading as humanity?
Shaken to my core.#JusticeforAsifa

— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) April 12, 2018

Unnao rape case: CBI probe to begin tomorrow

#NewsAlert -- CBI to begin investigation of Unnao rape case from tomorrow pic.twitter.com/g9kvZFh1kx

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 12, 2018

Meanwhile, NCW chairperson RekhaSharma urges nation to not make Unnao and Kathua rape case a political issue

Chairperson of the NCW #RekhaSharma urges the nation to not make #Unnao and #Kathua rape case a political issue while calling for a strict punishment against the culprits.

Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/Hvtm3B7rmE pic.twitter.com/1A7iElR1Ll

— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) April 12, 2018

The candlelight march will start from AICC Head Quarters, 24 Akbar Road, and end at India Gate

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy CM Nirmal Singh speaks up on the two rape cases

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy CM Nirmal Singh says, “Justice should be done to her.There shouldn’t be politics on that.Criminals who did it have no religion like terrorists have no religion. All communities, Hindu & Muslims have fought for that girl & only disgruntled elements are trying to give wrong message.” –ANI

All India Mahila Congress to observe black day on 17 April

Mahila Congress will observe #BlackDay on 17th April 2018 to protest against the @BJP4India complicity and @narendramodi 's silence over Kathua & Unnao rape cases and rising crimes against women through demonstrations across India. pic.twitter.com/U5TStmiXzw

— All India Mahila Congress (@MahilaCongress) April 12, 2018

Rahul Gandhi calls for ‘silent, peaceful,’ candlelight vigil at India Gate at midnight 

Like millions of Indians my heart hurts tonight. India simply cannot continue to treat its women the way it does.

Join me in a silent, peaceful, candlelight vigil at India Gate at midnight tonight to protest this violence and demand justice.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 12, 2018

Rahul calls Kathua rape ‘unimaginable brutality’

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday described the rape and killing of an 8-year-old girl in Kathua as “unimaginable brutality” that cannot go unpunished and wondered how anybody can seek to protect the culprits. He also lashed out at the politics being played over the crime. “How can anyone protect the culprits of such evil,” he asked, adding that the violence against the child was a crime against humanity.- PTI

NSUI and Jamia students’ organisation to join Rahul Gandhi’s march at India Gate

#BREAKING -- NSUI and Jamia students' organisation will also join the #RahulMidnightMarch at India Gate pic.twitter.com/6B5mh8yCRT

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 12, 2018