Rahul Gandhi took the stage at Delhi University’s North Campus on Monday, September 25, 2024, rallying roughly 3,000 students to chant 'Smash the Patriarchy' after the shocking alleged gang‑rape of a 17‑year‑old girl at Aastha Kunj Park. He warned that shaming women for crimes committed against them is a form of systemic patriarchy and called for stronger law‑enforcement action. 'The government’s answer has been to tell women to stay home,' he said, demanding that the state step in before the next tragedy.
The Aastha Kunj incident, reported on September 21, involved three men who allegedly posed as police officers and assaulted the teenager in a secluded park in South Delhi. Police confirmed the identities of the suspects but have yet to present a comprehensive investigation. The case has sparked a wave of outrage across the city, with activists demanding stricter security protocols.
Organisers noted that the march drew students from across Delhi University’s 25 colleges, converging near the Faculty of Arts before moving through the campus. This mobilisation is the largest student‑led protest on women’s safety since 2019, according to campus officials. Students carried placards reading 'Women are not criminals' and 'Safe streets for all.'
In the wake of the protests, the Delhi government has promised to issue a statement on women's safety by Friday, citing the need for new policing measures and better lighting in public spaces. The Bharatiya Janata Party's Home Minister said the state would review current protocols. Meanwhile, activists urge the government to involve women’s rights groups in drafting reforms.