New Delhi: Demanding action against police personnel accused of sexually assaulting and harassing women and transgender protesters, women activists on Saturday took to the streets of the national capital, raising slogans of “You can threaten us, but you cannot silence us”.
Carrying placards and banners, the protesters marched towards the Delhi Police Headquarters, calling for accountability over alleged sexual and gender-based violence during demonstrations against the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Among the placards held aloft was one reading, “Mahilae maangti har tarah ke shoshan daman se mukti” (Women demand freedom from all forms of exploitation and oppression), as the demonstrators demanded an end to what they described as police repression and violence against women and gender-diverse people.
The march began near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, with the protesters heading towards the police headquarters to submit a memorandum seeking strict disciplinary and legal action against personnel accused of misconduct.
A delegation of feminist, queer and women’s groups later spoke to Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagdev Singh in New Delhi after the protesters blocked the road, a member of the group said in a post on X.
“We’ve demanded strict action and orders against violence against women, queer folks along with protesters in general by Delhi Police,” the member said.
In a statement, the organisations said videos, photographs and personal accounts had documented alleged instances of sexual harassment and physical violence against women, transgender and non-binary protesters during police action since July 20, with reports intensifying from October 2.
They cited footage purportedly showing male police personnel assaulting women protesters and alleged that incidents of sexual violence had also taken place inside detention buses and detention centres.
A young woman journalist had also alleged that an assistant commissioner of police-rank officer grabbed her breasts. The organisations further claimed that when she attempted to file a complaint, she was detained and an FIR was registered against her and others.
“These deliberate actions by the authorities are nothing but misogynistic attempts to silence women’s voices and reveal a larger intent to push us out of politics and public life,” the statement said.
The groups also alleged that protesters had faced casteist, communal and gender-based abuse, accusing the authorities of failing to prevent such incidents or act against those responsible.
The memorandum called for prosecution of personnel found guilty, an end to impunity for sexual assault and protection of the right of women and gender-diverse people to participate in public and political life without fear.
The protesters also opposed the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The march came amid continuing protests and allegations of police repression linked to demonstrations against the Election Commission.
The women’s march was organised by several organisations, including the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA), All India Mahila Sanskritik Sangathan (AIMSS), Collective, All India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA), All India Coordination Committee of Working Women (AICCWW), Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan and Purogami Mahila Sangathan.