Congress

president

Rahul Gandhi

to hold midnight protest

Like millions of Indians my heart hurts tonight. India simply cannot continue to treat its women the way it does.… https://t.co/jItKSslyyT — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) 1523549343000

Union minister VK Singh: 'We have failed her as humans'

We have failed Ashifa as humans. But she will not be denied justice. #PunishTheSavages #RapeAndMurderOfHumanity… https://t.co/szB1Rb7UQd — Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) 1523516662000

J&K govt to make death penalty must for rape of minors

The Law will not be obstructed by the irresponsible actions & statements of a group of people. Proper procedures ar… https://t.co/QfBUfz5Yd9 — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) 1523512626000

J&K deputy CM Nirmal Singh: 'Justice should be done to her'

B S Salathia, president of Bar Association of Jammu: 'We demand CBI probe'

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal: 'Speak up, dear PM'

No time for 'upavas' dear PM . Speak up : the very soul of womanhood violated at Kathua and Unnao . Was 'Beti Bachao' yet another slogan ? — Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) 1523502682000

BJP

leader Meenakshi Lekhi: 'Accused shouldn't escape'

It's correct decision to refer the matter to CBI. If there're issues which are not meeting the eye then severe puni… https://t.co/2yvoQQGqKh — ANI (@ANI) 1523530368000

Human Rights Watch on Kathua rape case

Youth Congress: 'We demand justice'

Rape accused MPs, MLAs and other lawmakers are a part of this govt. Women’s security in our country has become a jo… https://t.co/BMUCHXNf9v — Youth Congress (@IYC) 1523529809000

Unnao rape case: CBI takes over probe

Allahabad high court on Unnao rape case

UP Governor Ram Naik: 'What has happened is shameful'

UP minister Mahesh Sharma: 'The law of justice will prevail'

Unnao

DCW chief Swati Maliwal to sit on hunger strike

.@narendramodi जी को मेरा पत्र। कल से मैं अनिश्चितकालीन अनशन पे बैठूंगी। सिस्टम द्वारा बच्चों के रेप & केंद्र की… https://t.co/LrEQ2ZuqjS — Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) 1523529935000

Tennis player

Sania Mirza

: 'Stand up for this 8-year-old girl'

Wrestler Geeta Phogat: 'Request govt to have strict rules for such crimes'

"We demand that strong punishment should be awarded to all the accused and justice delivered to the victim family"… https://t.co/CmlHwTXTyp — geeta phogat (@geeta_phogat) 1523531176000

Actor-director Farhan Akhtar

Actor Nimrat Kaur

Lyricist Javed Akhtar: 'Raise your voice against the rapists'

Eight-year-old was grazing the cattle owned by her nomadic Muslim herder family when she was kidnapped. A week later, her raped and mutilated body was found in the woods of Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir. Since the incident came to light less than two days ago, the country has been reeling from shock and outrage. Anger is also building over inaction against the accused in the Unnao rape case, with the Allahabad high court reprimanding the state government for 'collapse of law and order' and the Centre approving a CBI probe into the case. People from all walks of life — politicians, sportspersons and actors — have spoken out on the horrific crimes and demanded strict action against the culprits. Here's a look at some of the reactions and all the latest developments:Rahul will hold a candlelight protest at India Gate at midnight today to protest against the Unnao and Kathua rape cases.Earlier in the day he had tweeted: "How can anyone protect the culprits of such evil? What happened in Kathua is a crime against humanity. It cannot go unpunished. What have we become if we allow politics to interfere with such unimaginable brutality perpetrated on an innocent child?"We have failed her as humans. But she will not be denied justice.Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti announced on Thursday that the state will bring in a law that would make death penalty mandatory for those who rape minors. As national consensus builds seeking exemplary punishment to the culprits, Mehbooba Mufti said: "I assure that I stand committed not just to ensure justice for the victim but also seek exemplary punishment for those responsible for a crime whose brutal savagery has shamed humanity.Earlier in the day, Mehbooba Mufti said: The Law will not be obstructed by the irresponsible actions and statements of a group of people. Proper procedures are being followed, investigations are on the fast track and justice will be delivered.Justice should be done to her. There shouldn't be politics on that. Criminals who did it have no religion like terrorists have no religion. All communities, Hindu and Muslims have fought for that girl and only disgruntled elements are trying to give wrong message.Kashmir-centric mindset tried to give our agitation for CBI probe a communal colour. They were trying to divide Jammu on communal lines. It is their conspiracy. It was portrayed as if we are against justice for the girl. We demand CBI probe for justice to the minor, and those involved should be punished.No time for 'upavas' dear PM. Speak up: the very soul of womanhood violated at Kathua and Unnao. Was 'Beti Bachao' yet another slogan?It's correct decision to refer the matter to CBI. If there're issues which are not meeting the eye then severe punishment should be given to those who did such an abhorrent act, there should be no false prosecution and accused shouldn't escape.Too many BJP supporters seem willing to abandon their tough stand on sexual violence on the basis of religious prejudice. The police allege the girl's rape and murder was part of an effort to drive the Muslim community away from the area. Yet, for the local lawyers and other BJP supporters, the Hindu suspects and the Muslim victim were grounds for blocking prosecution of the case.Rape accused MPs, MLAs and other lawmakers are a part of this government. Women’s security in our country has become a joke. Shame on the people who tried to stop the victim’s family from getting the justice they deserve. This is unpardonable!The central government today issued a notification directing the CBI to take over the alleged rape case against BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar.According to it (SIT report), medical officers and police officers, all were hand in glove with the accused to save them and you (state government) acted on this report against those officers but for arresting rape accused you need to do further investigation. If this is the stand you are repeatedly taking, then we will be forced to observe in our order that 'law and order has collapsed in the state'.What has happened is shameful. But to say that no action has been taken is wrong. Actions taken by the police till now will provide a solution and will also set an example for the future.When we say Beti Bachao, we really mean that. We are here to safeguard the interests of our daughters and we are committed to their safety. As far asincident is concerned, the law of justice will prevail.From tomorrow, I'll sit on an indefinite hunger strike. The systemic rape of children and the Centre's silence on the matter cannot be tolerated. I shall not touch food till our demands are met. Strict action against rapists within six months, support for the victims of the Unnao and Kathua rape incidents.Is this really the kind of country we want to be known as to the world today? If we can’t stand up now for this 8 year old girl regardless of our gender, caste, colour or religion then we don’t stand for anything in this world. Not even humanity... Justice needs to be done for the sake of keeping our faith in the judiciary and the system alive. I really hope and pray justice is done, and soon.We demand that strong punishment should be awarded to all the accused and justice delivered to the victim family. Would really request the government to please have strict rules for such a crime.Imagine what goes through the mind of an 8 yr old as she is drugged, held captive, gang raped over days and then murdered. If you don’t feel her terror, you are not human. If you don’t demand justice, you belong to nothing.Equal rights/ gender bias/ pay disparity all seem like such distant, first world concerns. Let's begin with addressing the unmentionable horrors of the absence of humanity. The only way forward, if at all, from this blood curdling barbarism is justice. Heartbroken and aghast.All those who wish justice for women should stand up and raise their voices against the rapists and their protectors in Unnao and Kathua.