Congress top brass, includingPrime Minister Manmohan Singh and party chief Sonia Gandhi,met this evening amid strong demands for swift action againstthe perpetrators of the horrific gangrape and assault on the23-year-old paramedic student.
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who cut short his visitto his native Solapur in Maharashtra, was also present at thedeliberations of the Congress core group held at the PrimeMinister's residence at 7, Race Course Road here.
Minister of State for Home R P N Singh was also present atthe meeting.
The meeting took place in the backdrop of peaceful marchesand protests in the capital to mourn the death of the gangrapevictim even as parts of Central Delhi were kept out of boundsfor people.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi in her televised tributes saidthe fight of nation's "beloved daughter" will not go in vain,promising "swift and fitting punishment" to perpetrators aswell as stringent laws for women protection.
"As a woman and mother, I understand how you feel. Iappeal you to remain calm and help strengthen our collectiveresolve to fight the menace of violence against women,"Gandhi, who is also UPA Chairperson, said.
Breaking his silence on the tragedy, Gandhi's son and MPRahul Gandhi called for introspection over the incident and aresolve to ensure the security and dignity of women.
"My heart goes out to the family of the young girl andmillions of young Indians, families who work, hope and prayfor a better India. We as a nation must reflect on the eventsof the days gone by," Rahul said, offering his deepcondolences to the young girl's family.