Celebrities, socialites, entrepreneurs, social activists, youth and children participated in the candle light vigil, organised by journalist Apsara to create awareness on child rights, protest against sexual assaults on children and women and to express solidarity with the family of Hasini, the seven-year-old child, whose rapist and murderer was recently released on bail much to chagrin of the entire civil society.
Calling for capital punishment for rapists, Apsara said that rape is a pre-meditated crime and can never happen by accident or in the spur of a moment. Coming down heavily on the manner in which the accused in the Hasini rape-cum-murder case has been allowed to walk out of jail, he called for members of the civil society to raise their voice to protect children and create awareness on child abuse. She said it is the duty of every citizen to ensure the safety of our children.
Among those who took part in the protest were United Kingdom High Commissioner Bharat Joshi, film director Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, actor Arun Vijay and his wife Aarti Arun, actress Kutty Padmini, Rathe Radha (Radha Ravi’s daughter), CEOs of several companies and many prominent social workers.
A letter to the Chennai Police Commissioner was signed by the protestors urging him to oversee the investigations and the process of filing charge sheet in the case relating to the rape and murder of Hasini and ensure that the accused gets maximum punishment. The letter, however, acknowledged the role played by the city police in solving the case and arrested the culprit on time.
All speakers spoke on the need for protecting children and harsher punishment for those who violate children and women.
