Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Mar 21: Nearly 1,500 people from all walks of life came together on Saturday March 21 evening to demand justice for 'Baby Nirbhaya', as they called the three-and-a-half-year-old LKG student who was sexually assaulted allegedly by her school van driver.

Men, women and children, irrespective of caste, creed and religion led a candlelight march from Nehru Maidan to DC's office, where a protest meet was held.

Flagging off the march at Nehru Maidan, Nandagopal of Centre for Integrated Learning said, "We are against perverted minds. We have to build an educated society. So far we have heard of rape cases in Delhi and then in Bengaluru, and now we hear of it in our own neighbourhood. This candlelight march is to enlighten people against such atrocities and demand justice for the child."

Addressing the gathering near DC's office, Renny D'Souza, state convener of CLC Karnataka said, "No action has been taken against the school and hence we are organizing this march. POCSO Act has to be implemented in the right way as it is, and action should be taken against the culprit. We should teach our children about their safety. This is only the beginning of our protest. Let the government and the police take warning from this march and ensure that such incidents do not occur again."

Activist Manjula said that the police have failed to take sufficient action on the matter and expressed suspicions that they were trying to close the case. She also slammed the school management for not showing concern and taking responsibility for the action of the school driver. She demanded action against the school and speedy probe into the case so that justice is done to the victim and her family at the earliest. She also urged the district administration and the education department to check security measures in schools in the district.

Among those present were Vidya Dinker of Citizens' Forum, Sachita Nandagopal, Umar U H and others.