Young guns wield the activist baton

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The recent gangrape case in the city has lead to widespread protests and has given rise to a young breed of activists

The ongoing protests following the gangrape of a medical student in the capital has created a young brigade who are taking up the cause beyond the dharna district, Jantar Mantar. From mobilising crowds for peaceful marches to creating online forums and launching campaigns, these ‘activists’ are working on lasting solutions for women safety.

Facebook pages like Delhi gangrape culprits...what will be the punishment?, Delhi Against Gangrape and Delhi gangrape even death penalty would be less have registered large number of memberships. Tweets on the same by people across different walks of life have led to exemplary reactions. Online petitions are seeing unprecedented sign-ups.
Devika, 22, has been busy campaigning through social media to reach out to the youth and call them up to participate in the silent protests demanding punishment of the culprits. “We are all shocked by this brutal rape because this happened in the metro city. There are many such instances happening in the North-East, Kashmir and different parts of the country. It’s high time we raise our voices for them too,” she says. She is also the founder of Save Sharmila Campaign, a group that has working to save activist Irom Sharmila. Devika is now starting a pressure group, involving students and young professionals against this gangrape case.
Ravi Nitesh, founder Mission Bhartiyam, has been reaching out to corporates and student forums. His group is set to go on a hunger strike from January 4. “We will demand a special session of Parliament to discuss the serious issue of women’s safety. We are also sending our recommendations — speedy justice through fast track courts, particularly in this case — to the just-formed Justice Varma Committee,” says the petroleum engineer-turned-activist.
Young activist Mohammad Tanvir is launching the Bitya Khatray Main Hai campaign for which he is roping in student groups, doctors, artists and filmmakers. “The idea is to create a general awareness and a sense of morality. It’s an issue that can be dealt with collective efforts from citizens and government bodies,” he says. “We are all for peaceful protests and that’s why we condemn excesses from both the protesters and police,” he stresses.
Theatre actor Sangeeta Sharma has created dramatic acts highlighting the issue. “We have done shows dealing with the plight of women through theatre. The message is important and we will repeat it via different mediums,” she says.