A host of promises by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi failed to soothe the agitating nerves of protesters here, demanding speedy justice to the gangrape victim.
Emerging out of 90-minute meeting at 10 Janpath, a group of student leaders said they will continue peaceful protest to ensure exemplary punishment to the perpetrators.
“We had a meeting with Sonia and Rahul. She heard us and told us that the government needs time to meet all demands like amending laws. We were also told that IPC Section 201 and 307 have also been slapped by the police against the rapist to ensure strict punishment,” one of the protesters said.
They said during the meeting Sonia discussed future action plan to ensure safety for women in the Capital.
She is also learnt to have assured the youths that all steps will be taken to fast-track the case so that the perpetrators of the ghastly crime on the 23-year-old girl in a moving bus last Sunday night get punishment.
“Rahul told us that the government is committed to bring in serious changes but it will take some time,” a student leader said. Rahul told the group that decisions cannot be driven by emotions and that they should be taken in a “rational” manner.
He told them to come out with rational suggestions to ensure that such incidents are prevented and perpetrators of such crime are given punishment in a short period of time. Union Minister of State for Home R P N Singh, said it had given 12 suggestions to Sonia and Rahul which the government will consider. “Not just the rape but any offence against women will be treated under strict law. During the meeting we have assured them that a fast track court will take action. I want to assure that justice will be done. I can’t give a time frame but very soon you will see the result,” Singh said. Congress spokesperson Renuka Chaudhary said an action plan has been decided at the meeting.