It’s like 2012 ...

Her mother sat on the dusty road and shouted slogans, urging the government to amend the juvenile law to ensure harsher punishment for heinous crimes.

But as she braved the winter chill in the heart of the city, a few kilometers away, the juvenile had already been shifted from a correctional facility in north Delhi to an NGO-run shelter. “I have been fighting for the cause since 2012. Then also we were shouting the same slogans asking for punishment for those who attacked the victim and after three years we again had to hit the streets. The government needs to give a serious thought about bringing in reforms,” said Mukesh Kumar, an activist.

The wheelchair-bound Kumar was at the forefront of the protests as he felt a need to raise his voice against the juvenile’s release.

The fervor of the demonstrations didn’t leave the teeming visitors to India Gate and many tourists joined the protesters. “I am not associated with any organisation, but I am here as I support the cause. The juvenile should not have been released ,” said Sumit, a student.

Like in 2012 — when angry protestors weathered a volley of water cannon sand tear gas shells— scuffles erupted between the police and demonstrators but prohibitory orders clamped in the area didn’t deter people from gathering and raising slogans. But around 7pm, pro testers were detained along with the victim’s parents — the second time in two days. But that did little to dent their resolve. “We will not stop our fight here. We will now intensify our protest as my daughter has not got justice. Now with the juvenile being released, our three years of fight has born no fruit. The government needs to wake up,” said the victim’s father.