Dehradun - Anger and frustration boiled over in Dehradun on Saturday evening as hundreds of residents, led by the Dehradun Citizens Forum (DCF), took to the streets demanding better protection for women.
Outside Gandhi Park, a large crowd gathered, including numerous organizations and activists, all united in their call for immediate action to prevent the rising cases of violence against women.
The demonstration, organized by DCF, was sparked by a series of horrific incidents: the gang rape of a minor at ISBT Dehradun, the brutal murder of a nurse in Rudrapur, the shocking rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, and the tragic case of Ankita Bhandari.
The protestors, many holding signs and chanting slogans, demanded accountability from the government and urgent steps to ensure women's safety in public spaces.
"Why do we have to keep coming out on the streets to ask for basic safety? Arresting criminals is important, but we need to ask why these incidents keep happening," said social activist and former bank union leader Jagmohan Mehandiratta, who led the protest.
"Public places like ISBT should be safe for everyone, especially women. It's high time the government guarantees that."
The DCF later submitted a 12-point memorandum through top government officials, including the President, Prime Minister, and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.
The memorandum demands swift justice in the recent cases, fast-track trials for rape, increased night patrolling, better street lighting, and clean, safe public toilets for women.
"The Constitution guarantees freedom and safety for all citizens, including women. We won’t stand by while these rights are compromised," said Anoop Nautiyal, reading the petition aloud to the crowd.
Speakers throughout the evening echoed the sentiment.
"Women have always been equal contributors to our society. It's unacceptable that we still have to fight for their safety," said activist Kamla Pant. "The government must act now, or this will only get worse."
The protest also featured performances aimed at raising awareness, including a powerful street play by students of Aasra Trust, folk songs by Atul Sharma and Trilochan Bhatt, and poetry by Sushma Verma.
The demonstration was supported by various groups, including Mahila Manch, Citizens for Green Doon, Eco Group, and SDC Foundation.
Notable participants included Lokesh Ohri, Aneesh Lal, Jaya Singh, Ashish Garg, and many concerned youth, school, and college students.
As the protest ended, the message was clear: Dehradun's citizens will not rest until women can walk their streets without fear.
