Uttam leads candlelight march over Unnao, Kathua rape cases

Hyderabad : Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy led a candlelight march from People's Plaza to Indira Gandhi Statue at Necklace Road on Saturday night to protest the Kathua and Unnao rape cases.

Speaking on the occasion, Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that the BJP Government has failed to provide security to women. "Prime Minister Narender Modi gives slogans about 'Beti Bachao', but his government has failed to provide minimum security to women. It is highly shameful that instead of taking stern action against the guilty, some BJP leaders have openly supported the culprits," he said while referring to the two heinous gang rapes - one in Unnao, UP, and the other in Kathua, J&K.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the candlelight march has been organised in State Capital and all district headquarters on the directions of Congress president Rahul Gandhi to protest against the crimes being committed against women. He said Rahul Gandhi himself has led a protest in Delhi condemning the incident and asked all Congress workers to organise similar protests across the nation. He demanded that the government ensure safety for women and give exemplary punishment to culprits. "We strongly condemn the atrocities on women in various parts of the country. Congress is for women's right and it seriously condemns the recent incidents that shook the entire country," he said.

Hundreds of Congress activists participated in the march and raised slogans against the BJP Government. They were holding placards demanding justice for rape victims and action against the rapists and those who supported them.

Leader of Opposition in Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir, ex-PCC President Ponnala Lakshmaiah, MLA D. K. Aruna, former union minister Sarve Satyanarayana, ex-minister Danam Nagender and other senior leaders also took part in the protest.