The Auckland Indian community echoed the voices of protest against rape and stringent punishment for perpetrators of the flagitious crime that are now being heard throughout India at Aotea Square in Auckland City on January 2, 2013.
Organised by ‘Jaagriti Women’s Support Group,’ an action arm of ‘Roopa Aur Aap Charitable Trust,’ which is an associate of Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, the meeting was attend by representatives of several organisations, music schools and individuals.
The peaceful gathering observed a two-minute silence in memory of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student who was brutally raped by a gang of six men in a moving Delhi bus on December 16, leading to her death in a Singapore Hospital on December 30 (read our editorial and related stores under Viewlink in this issue).
Carrying placards saying, ‘Stop violence towards women,’ and ‘No excuse for abuse,’ about 15 people from the gathering said that they would protest any violence against women anywhere and called for a general awakening against this growing menace.
The black dotted stickers worn by some of them indicated the zero tolerance needed towards rapists, accessories and others in such offences.
Positive action
Bhartiya Samaj Chairman Jeet Suchdev said, “Instead of blaming anyone, let us individually try and make changes in our limited scope so that such a thing never happens”.
Roopa Aur Aap Charitable Trust Chairperson said that it was the responsibility of people like those at the meeting to educate children and make them aware of the sensitivity of such issues.
“Women, especially those who are victimised by sexual assaults and abuses, should not keep quiet but stand up for their rights and against injustice,” she said.
Jaagriti Women’s Support Group Public Relations Officer Diksha Vohra emphasised the need to be proactive on this issue and gather public support.
“No more than 12% of incidents of rape in India are reported, and the judicial process takes at least seven years in each case.
“We do not expect governments or the police to guard every citizen and hence common people should take responsibility,” she said.
Ms Suchdev said that the Jaagriti Women’s Support Group has been providing support services to the Auckland communities on domestic and teenage issues, adult and family counselling and migrants in distress.
More information can be obtained from her on 021-665609. Email: roopaauraap@gmail.com
